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The Third Virginia Charter
March 12, 1612
James, by the grace of God [King of England, Scotland, France and
Ireland, Defender of the Faith;] to all to whom [these pres-ents shall
come,] greeting. Whereas at the humble suite of divers and sundry our
lovinge subjects, aswell adventurers as planters of the First Colonie in
Virginia, and for the propagacion of Christian religion and reclayminge of
people barbarous to civilitie and humanitie, we have by our lettres patent
bearing date at Westminster the three and twentieth daie of May in the
seaventh yeare of our raigne of England, Frannce and Ireland, and the twoe
and fortieth of Scotland, given and grannted unto them, that they and all
suche and soe manie of our loving subjects as shold from time to time for
ever after be joyned with them as planters or adventurers in the said
plantacion, and their succes-sors for ever, shold be one body politique
incorporated by the name of The Treasorer and Planters of the Cittie of
London for the First Colonie in Virginia;
And whereas allsoe for the greater good and benefitt of the said
Companie and for the better furnishing and establishing of the said
plantacion we did further [give], grannte and con-firme by our said lettres
patent unto the said Treasorer and Com-panie and their successors for ever,
all those landes, contries and territories scituate, lyeing and being in
that part of America called Virginia, from the point of land called Cape
[or] Pointe Comfort all along the seacoste to the northward twoe hundred
miles, and from the said point of Cape Comfort all along the seacoste to the
sowthward twoe hundred miles, and all the space and circuit of land lying
from the sea coste of the precinct afore-said up or into the land throughout
from sea to sea, west and northwest, and allso all the islandes lying within
one hundred miles along the coast of both the seas of the precinct aforsaid,
with diverse other grannts, liberties, franchises, preheminences,
privileges, profiitts, benefitts, and commodities, grannted in and by our
said lettres patent to the said Tresorer and Companie, and their successors,
for ever:
Now for asmuchas we are given to undestande that in these seas
adjoyning to the said coast of Virginia and without the com- passe of those
twoe hundred miles by us soe grannted unto the said Treasurer and Companie
as aforesaid, and yet not farr dis- tant from the said Colony in Virginia,
there are or may be divers islandes lying desolate and uninhabited, some of
which are al- ready made knowne and discovered by the industry, travell, and
expences of the said Company, and others allsoe are sup-posed to be and
remaine as yet unknowen and undiscovered, all and every of which itt maie
importe the said Colony both in safety and pollecy of trade to populate and
plant, in regard where of, aswell for the preventing of perill as for the
better comodity and prosperity of the said Colony, they have bin hum-ble
suitors unto us that we wold be pleased to grannt unto them an inlardgement
of our said former lettres patent, aswell for a more ample extent of their
limitts and territories into the seas adjoyning to and uppon the coast of
Virginia as allsoe for some other matters and articles concerning the better
government of the said Company and Collony, in which point our said former
lettres patents doe not extende soe farre as time and experience hath found
to be needfull and convenient:
We, therefore, tendring the good and happy successe of the said
plantacion both in respect of the generall weale of humane society as in
respect of the good of our owne estate and kinge- domes, and being willing
to give furtherannt untoall good meanes that may advannce the benefitt of
the said Company and which maie secure the safety of our loving subjects,
planted in our said Colony under the favour and proteccion of God Almighty
and of our royall power and authority, have therefore of our especiall
grace, certein knowledge and mere mocion, given, grannted and confirmed, and
for us, our heires and successors we doe by theis presents, give, grannt and
confirme unto the said Treasurer and Company of Adventurers and Planters of
the said Citty of London for the First Colony in Virginia, and to their
heires and successors for ever, all and singuler the said iselandes
[whatsoever] scituat and being in anie part of the said ocean bordering upon
the coast of our said First Colony in Vir-ginia and being within three
hundred leagues of anie the partes hertofore grannted to the said Treasorer
and Company in our said former lettres patents as aforesaid, and being
within or be-tweene the one and fortie and thirty degrees of Northerly
lati-tude, together with all and singuler [soils] landes, groundes, havens,
ports, rivers, waters, fishinges, mines and mineralls, as-well royal mines
of gold and silver as other mines and mineralls, perles, precious stones,
quarries, and all and singuler other com- modities, jurisdiccions,
royalties, priviledges, franchises and pre-heminences, both within the said
tract of lande uppon the maine and allso within the said iselandes and seas
adjoyning, whatso-ever, and thereunto or there abouts both by sea and land
being or scituat; and which, by our lettres patents, we maie or cann grannt
and in as ample manner and sort as we or anie our noble progenitors have
heretofore grannted to anie person or persons or to anie Companie, bodie
politique or corporate or to any ad-venturer or adventurers, undertaker or
undertakers of anie dis-coveries, plantacions or traffique, of, in, or into
anie foreigne parts whatsoever, and in as lardge and ample manner as if the
same were herein particularly named, mencioned and expressed: pro-vided
allwaies that the said iselandes or anie the premisses herein mencioned and
by theis presents intended and meant to be grannted be not already actually
possessed or inhabited by anie other Christian prince or estate, nor be
within the bounds, limitts or territories of the Northerne Colonie,
hertofore by us grannted to be planted by divers of our loving subjects in
the northpartes of Virginia. To have and to hold, possesse and injoie all
and singuler the said iselandes in the said ocean seas soe lying and
bordering uppon the coast or coasts of the territories of the said First
Colony in Virginia as aforesaid, with all and singuler the said soiles,
landes and groundes and all and singular other the premisses heretofore by
theis presents grannted, or mencioned to be grannted, to them, the said
Treasurer and Companie of Adventurers and Planters of the Cittie of London
for the First Colonie in Virginia, and to their heires, successors and
assignes for ever, to the sole and proper use and behoofe of them, the said
Treasurer and Companie and their heires, successores and as-signes for ever;
to be holden of us, our heires and successors as of our mannor of
Eastgreenwich, in free and common soccage and not in capite, yealding and
paying therefore, to us, our heires and successors, the fifte part of the
oare of all gold and silver which shalbe there gotten, had or obteined for
all manner of services, whatsoever.
And further our will and pleasure is, and we doe by theis presents
grannt and confirme for the good and welfare of the said plantacion, and
that posterity maie hereafter knowe whoe have adventured and not bin sparing
of their purses in such a noble and generous accion for the generall good of
theire cuntrie, and at the request and with the consent of the Companie
afore said, that our trusty and welbeloved subjects.
George, Lord Archbishopp of Canterbury
Gilbert, Earle of Shrewsberry
Mary, Countesse of Shrewes-
Elizabeth, Countesse of Derby
Margarett, Countesse of Com-berland
Henry, Earle of Huntingdon
Edward, Earle of Beddford
Lucy, Countesse of Bedford
Marie, Countesse of Pembroke
Richard, Earle of Clanrickard
Lady Elizabeth Graie
William, Lord Viscount Cram-bome
William, Lord Bishopp of Du-resme
Henry, Lord Bishopp of Wor-ceter
John, Lord Bishopp of Oxon-ford
William, Lord Pagett
Dudley, Lord North
Franncis, Lord Norries
William, Lord Knollis
John, Lord Harrington
Robert, Lord Spencer
Edward, Lord Denny
William, Lord Cavendishe
James, Lord Hay
Elianor, Lady Cave [Carre]
Maistres Elizabeth Scott, wid-dow
Edward Sackvill, Esquier
Sir Henry Nevill, of Aburga-venny, Knight
Sir Robert Riche, Knight
Sir John Harrington, Knight
Sir Raphe Wimwood, Knight
Sir John Graie, Knight
Sir Henry Riche, Knight
Sir Henry Wotton, Knight
Peregrine Berly, Esquier [Berty]
Sir Edward Phelipps, Knight, Maister of the Rolls
Sir Moile Finche, Knight
Sir Thomas Mansell, Knight
Sir John St. John, Knight
Sir Richard Spencer, Knight
Sir Franncis Barrington, Knight
Sir George Carie of Devonshire, Knight
Sir William Twisden, Knight
Sir John Leveson, Knight
Sir Thomas Walsingham, Knight
Sir Edward Care, Knight
Sir Arthure Manwaringe, Knight
Sir Thomas Jermyn, Knight
Sir Valentine Knightley, Knight
Sir John Dodderidge, Knight
Sir John Hungerford, Knight
Sir John Stradling, Knight
Sir John Bourchidd, Knight [Bourchier]
Sir John Bennett, Knight
Sir Samuel Leonard, Knight
Sir Franncis Goodwin, Knight
Sir Wareham St. Legier, Knight
Sir James Scudamore, Knight
Sir Thomas Mildmaie, Knight
Sir Percivall Harte, Knight
Sir Percivall Willoughby, Knight
Sir Franncis Leigh, Knight
Sir Henry Goodere, Knight
Sir John Cutt, Knight
Sir James Parrett, Knight
Sir William Craven, Knight
Sir John Sammes, Knight
Sir Carey Raleigh, Knight
Sir William Maynard, Knight
Sir Edmund Bowyer, Knight
Sir William Cornewallis, Knight
Sir Thomas Beomont, Knight
Sir Thomas Cunningsby, Knight
Sir Henry Beddingfeild, Knight
Sir David Murray, Knight
Sir William Poole, Knight
Sir William Throgmorton, Knight
Sir Thomas Grantham, Knight
Sir Thomas Stewkley, Knight
Sir Edward Heron, Knight
Sir Ralph Shelten, Knight
Sir Lewes Thesam, Knight
Sir Walter Aston, Knight
Sir Thomas Denton, Knight
Sir Ewstace Hart, Knight
Sir John Ogle, Knight
Sir Thomas Dale, Knight
Sir William Boulstrod, Knight
Sir William Fleetwood, Knight
Sir John Acland, Knight
Sir John Hanham, Knight
Sir Roberte Meller, Knight [Millor]
Sir Thomas Wilford, Knight
Sir William Lower, Knight
Sir Thomas Lerdes, Knight [Leedes]
Sir Franncis Barneham, Knight
Sir Walter Chate, Knight
Sir Thomas Tracy, Knight
Sir Marmaduke Darrell, Knight
Sir William Harrys, Knight
Sir Thomas Gerrand, Knight
Sir Peter Freetchvile, Knight
Sir Richard Trevor, Knight
Sir Amias Bamfeild
Sir William Smith of Essex, Knight
Sir Thomas Hewett, Knight
Sir Richard Smith, Knight
Sir John Heyward, Knight
Sir Christopher Harris, Knight
Sir John Pettus, Knight
Sir William Strode, Knight
Sir Thomas Harfleet, Knight
Sir Walter Vaughan, Knight
Sir William Herrick, Knight
Sir Samuell Saltonstall, Knight
Sir Richard Cooper, Knight
Sir Henry Fane, Knight
Sir Franncis Egiok, Knight
Sir Robert Edolph, Knight
Sir Arthure Harries, Knight
Sir George Huntley, Knight
Sir George Chute, Knight
Sir Robert Leigh, Knight
Sir Richard Lovelace, Knight
Sir William Lovelace, Knight
Sir Robert Yaxley, Knight
Sir Franncis Wortley, Knight
Sir Franncis Heiborne, Knight
Sir Guy Palme, Knight
Sir Richard Bingley, Knight
Sir Ambrose Turvill, Knight
Sir Nicholas Stoddard, Knight
Sir William Gree, Knight
Sir Walter Coverte, Knight
Sir Thomas Eversfeild, Knight
Sir Nicholas Parker, Knight
Sir Edward Culpeper, Knight
Sir William Ayliffe, Knight, and
Sir John Keile, Knight
Doctor George Mountaine, Dean of Westminster
Lawrence Bohan, Docktor in Phisick
Anthony Hinton, Doctor in Phisick
John Pawlett
Arthure Ingram
Anthony Irby
John Weld
John Walter
John Harris
Anthony Dyott
William Ravenscrofte
Thomas Warre
William Hackwill
Lawrence Hide
Nicholas Hide
Thomas Stevens
Franncis Tate
Thomas Coventry
John Hare
Robert Askwith
George Sanndys
Franncis Jones
Thomas Wentworth
Henry Cromewell
John Arundell
John Culpeper
John Hoskins
Walter Fitz Williams
Walter Kirkham
William Roscarrock
Richard Carmerdon
Edward Carne
Thomas Merry
Nicholas Lichfeild
John Middleton
John Smithe, and
Thomas Smith, the sonnes of Sir Thomas Smith
Peter Franke
George Gerrand
Gregory Sprynte
John Drake
Roger Puleston
Oliver Nicholas
Richard Nunnington [Monyngton]
John Vaughan
John Evelin
Lamorock Stradling
John Riddall
John Kettleby
Warren Townsend
Lionell Cranfeild
Edward Salter
William Litton
Humfrey May
George Thorpe
Henry Sandys, and
Edwin Sandys, the sonnes of Sir Edwin Sandys
Thomas Conway
Captaine Owen Gwinn
Captaine Giles Hawkridge
Edward Dyer
Richard Connock
Benjamin Brand
Richard Leigh, and
Thomas Pelham, Esquiers
Thomas Digges, and
John Digges, Esquiers, the sonnes of Sir Dudley Diggs,
Franncis Bradley
Richard Buckminster [Buck]
Franncis Burley
John Procter
Thomas Frake, thelder, and
Henry Freake, thelder, Minis-ters of God's word
The mayor and citizens of Chi-chester
The mayor and jurates of Dover
The bailiffs, burgesses and com-onalty of Ipswich
The mayor and comunalty of Lyme Regis
The mayor and comonalty of Sandwich
The wardens, assistants and companie of the Trinity House
Thomas Martin
Franncis Smaleman
Augustine Steward
Richard Tomlins
Humfrey Jobson
John Legate
Robert Backley [Barkley]
John Crowe
Edward Backley [Barkley]
William Flett [Fleet]
Henry Wolstenholme
Edmund Alleyn
George Tucker
Franncis Glanville
Thomas Gouge
John Evelin
William Hall
John Smithe
George Samms
John Robinson
William Tucker
John Wolstenholme, and Henry Wolstenholme, sonnes of
John Wolstenholme, Esquier
William Hodges
Jonathan Mattall [Nuttall]
Phinees Pett
Captaine John Kinge
Captaine William Beck
Giles Alington
Franncis Heiton, and
Samuell Holliland, gentleman
Richard Chamberlaine
George Chamberlaine
Hewett Staper
Humfrey Handford
Raph Freeman
George Twinhoe [Swinhoe]
Richard Pigott
Elias Roberts
Roger Harris
Devereux Wogan
Edward Baber
William Greenewell
Thomas Stilles
Nicholas Hooker
Robert Garsett
Thomas Cordell
William Bright
John Reynold
Peter Bartley
John Willett
Humfry Smithe
Roger Dye
Nicholas Leate
Thomas Wale
Lewes Tate
Humfrey Merrett
Roberte Peake
Powell Isaackson
Sebastian Viccars
Jarvis Mundes
Richard Wamer
Gresham Hogan Warner
Daniell Deruley
Andrew Troughton
William Barrett
Thomas Hodges
John Downes
Richard Harper
Thomas Foxall
William Haselden
James Harrison
William Burrell
John Hodsall
Richard Fisborne
John Miller
Edward Cooke
Richard Hall, marchaunt
Richard Hall, ankersmith
John Delbridge
Richard Francklin
Edmund Scott
John Britten
Robert Stratt
Edmund Pond
Edward James
Robert Bell
Richard Herne
William Ferrers
William Millett
Anthony Abdy
Roberte Gore
Benjamin Decrow
Henry Tunbedey [Timberly]
Humfrey Basse
Abraham Speckart
Richard Moorer
William Compton
Richard Poulsoune [Pontsonne]
William Wolaston
John Desmont, clothier [Beomont]
Alexannder Childe
William Fald, fishmonger
Franncis Baldwin
John Jones, marchant
Thomas Plomer
Edward Plomer, marchants
John Stoickden
Robert Tindall
Peter Erundell
Ruben Bourne
Thomas Hampton, and
Franncis Carter, citizens of Lon-don,
whoe since our said last lettres patent are become adventurers and
have joined themselves with the former adventurers and planters of the said
Companie and societie, shall from hence-forth be reputed, deemed and taken
to be and shalbe brethren and free members of the Companie and shall and
maie, respect-ively, and according to the proportion and value of their
severall adventures, have, hold and enjoie all suche interest, right, title,
priviledges, preheminences, liberties, franchises, immunities, profitts and
commodities whatsoever in as lardge, ample and beneficiall manner to all
intents, construccions and purposes as anie other adventures nominated and
expressed in anie our former lettres patent, or anie of them have or maie
have by force and vertue of theis presents, or anie our former lettres
patent whatsoever.
And we are further pleased and we doe by theis presents grannt and
confirm that
Phillipp, Earle of Montgomery
William, Lord Paget
Sir John Harrington, Knight
Sir William Cavendish, Knight
Sir John Sammes, Knight
Sir Samuell Sandys, Knight
Sir Thomas Freke, Knight
Sir William St. John, Knight
Sir Richard Grobham, Knight
Sir Thomas Dale, Knight
Sir Cavalliero Maycott, Knight
Richard Martin, Esquier
John Bingley, Esquier
Thomas Watson, Esquier, and
Arthure Ingram, Esquier,
whome the said Treasurer and Companie have, since the said [last]
lettres patent, nominated and sett downe as worthy and discreete persons
fitt to serve us as Counsellors, to be of our Counsell for the said
plantacion, shalbe reputed, deemed and taken as persons of our said Councell
for the said First Colonie in such manner and sort to all intents and
purposes as those whoe have bin formerly ellected and nominated as our
Coun-sellors for that Colonie and whose names have bin or are incerted and
expressed in our said former lettres patent.
And we doe hereby ordaine and grannt by theis presents that the
said Treasurer and Companie of Adventurers and Planters, aforesaid, shall
and maie, once everie weeke or oftener at their pleasure, hold and keepe a
court and assembly for the better ordening [ordering] and government of the
said plantacion and such thinges as shall concerne the same; and that anie
five per- sons of the said Counsell for the said First Collonie in Virginia,
for the time being, of which Companie the Treasurer or his deputie allwaies
to be one, and the nomber of fifteene others at the least of the generality
of the said Companie assembled together in such court or assembly in such
manner as is and hath bin heretofore used and accustomed, shalbe said,
taken, held and reputed to be and shalbe a full and sufficient court of the
said Companie for the handling, ordring and dispatching of all such casuall
and particuler occurrences and accidentall mat-ters of lesse consequence and
waight, as shall from time to time happen, touching and concerning the said
plantacion.
And that, nevertheles, for the handling, ordring and disposing of
matters and affaires of great waight and importance and such as shall or
maie in anie sort concerne the weale publike and generall good of the said
Companie and plantacion as namely, the manner of government from time to
time to be used, the ordring and disposing of the said possessions and the
setling and establish-ing of a trade there, or such like, there shalbe held
and kept everie yeare uppon the last Wednesdaie save one of Hillary, Easter,
Trinity and Michaelmas termes, for ever, one great, generall and solemne
assembly, which fower severall assemblies shalbe stiled and called The Fower
Great and Generall Courts of the Counsell and Companie of Adventurers for
Virginia; in all and every of which said great and generall Courts soe
assem-bled our will and pleasure is and we doe, for us, our heires and
successors forever, give and grannt to the said Treasurer and Companie and
their successors for ever by theis presents, that they, the said Treasurer
and Companie or the greater nomber of them soe assembled, shall and maie
have full power and authoritie from time to time and att all times hereafter
to ellect and choose discreet persons to be of our [said] Counsell for the
said First Colonie in Virginia and to nominate and appoint such officers as
theie shall thinke fitt and requisit for the government, managing, ordring
and dispatching of the affaires of the said Companie; and shall likewise
have full power and authority to ordaine and make such lawes and ordinances
for the good and wellfare of the said plantacion as to them from time to
time shalbe thought requisite and meete: soe allwaies as the same be not
contrary to the lawes and statutes of this our realme of England; and shall
in like manner have power and authority to expulse, disfranchise and putt
out of and from their said Companie and societie for ever all and everie
such person and persons as having either promised or subscribed their names
to become adventurers to the said plantacion of the said First Colonie in
Virginia, or having bin nominated for adventurers in theis or anie our
lettres patent or having bin otherwise admitted and nominated to be of the
said Companie, have nevertheles either not putt in anie adventure [at] all
for and towards the said plantacion or els have refused and neglected, or
shall refuse and neglect, to bringe in his or their adventure by word or
writing promised within sixe monthes after the same shalbe soe payable and
due.
And wheras the failing and nonpaiment of such monies as have bin
promised in adventure for the advanncement of the said plantacion hath bin
often by experience found to be dann-gerous and prejudiciall to the same and
much to have hindred the progresse and proceeding of the said plantacion;
and for that itt seemeth to us a thing reasonable that such persons as by
their handwriting have engaged themselves for the payment of their
adventures, and afterwards neglecting their faith and promise, shold be
compellable to make good and kepe the same; therefore our will and pleasure
is that in anie suite or suites comenced or to be comenced in anie of our
courts att Westminster, or els- where, by the said Treasurer and Companie or
otherwise against anie such persons, that our judges for the time being both
in our Court of Channcerie and at the common lawe doe favour and further the
said suits soe farre forth as law and equitie will in anie wise suffer and
permitt.
And we doe, for us, our heires and successors, further give and
grannt to the said Tresorer and Companie, and their successors for ever,
that theie, the said Tresorer and Companie or the greater part of them for
the time being, so in a full and generall court assembled as aforesaid shall
and maie, from time to time and att all times hereafter, for ever, ellect,
choose and permitt into their Company and society anie person or persons, as
well straungers and aliens borne in anie part beyond the seas where-soever,
being in amity with us, as our naturall liedge subjects borne in anie our
realmes and dominions; and that all such per-sons soe elected, chosen and
admitted to be of the said Companie as aforesaid shall thereuppon be taken,
reputed and held and shalbe free members of the said Companie and shall
have, hold and enjoie all and singuler freedoms, liberties, franchises,
privi-ledges, immunities, benefitts, profitts and commodities, whatso-ever,
to the said Companie in anie sort belonging or apperteining as fully, freely
[and] amplie as anie other adventurer or ad-venturers now being, or which
hereafter att anie time shalbe, of the said Companie, hath, have, shall,
maie, might or ought to have or enjoy the same to all intents and purposes
whatsoever.
And we doe further of our speciall grace, certaine knowledge and
mere mocion, for us, our heires and successors, give and grantt to the said
Tresorer and Companie and their successors, for ever by theis present, that
itt shalbe lawfull and free for them and their assignes att all and everie
time and times here- after, out of anie our realmes and dominions
whatsoever, to take, lead, carry and transport in and into the said voyage
and for and towards the said plantacion of our said First Collonie in
Virginia, all such and soe manie of our loving subjects or anie other
straungers that will become our loving subjects and live under our
allegiance as shall willingly accompanie them in the said voyage and
plantacion; with shipping, armour, weapons, ordinannce, munition, powder,
shott, victualls, and all manner of merchandizes and wares, and all manner
of clothing, imple-ment, furniture, beasts, cattell, horses, mares, and all
other thinges necessarie for the said plantacion and for their use and
defence, and for trade with the people there and in passing and retourning
to and froe, without paying or yealding anie subsedie, custome or
imposicion, either inward or outward, or anie other dutie to us, our heires
or successors, for the same, for the space of seven yeares from the date of
theis present.
And we doe further, for us, our heires and successors, give and
grannt to the said Treasurer and Companie and their suc-cessors for ever, by
theis present, that the said Treasurer of the said Companie, or his deputie
for the time being or anie twoe others of our said Counsell for the said
First Colonie in Virginia for the time being, shall and maie attall times
hereafter and from time to time, have full power and authoritie to minister
and give the oath and oathes of supremacie and allegiannce, or either of
them, to all and every person and persons which shall, at anie time and
times hereafter, goe or passe to the said Colonie in Virginia:
And further, that itt shalbe likewise lawfull for the said
Tresorer, or his deputy for the time, or anie twoe others of our said
Counsell for the said First Colonie in Virginia, for the time being, from
time to time and att all times hereafter, to minister such a formall oathe
as by their discrescion shalbe reasonably devised, aswell unto anie person
or persons imployed or to be imployed in, for, or touching the said
plantacion for their honest, faithfull and just dischardge of their service
in all such matters as shalbe committed unto them for the good and benefitt
of the said Company, Colonie and plantacion; as alsoe unto such other person
or persons as the said Treasurer or his deputie, with twoe others of the
said Counsell, shall thinke meete for the examina-cion or clearing of the
truith in anie cause whatsoever con-cerninge the said plantacion or anie
business from thence proceeding or there unto proceeding or thereunto
belonging.
And, furthermore, whereas we have ben certefied that diverse lewde
and ill disposed persons, both sailors, souldiers, artificers, husbandmen,
laborers, and others, having received wages, ap-parrell or other
entertainment from the said Company or having contracted and agreed with the
said Companie to goe, to serve, or to be imployed in the said plantacion of
the said First Colonie in Virginia, have afterwards either withdrawen, hid
or concealed themselves, or have refused to goe thither after they have bin
soe entertained and agreed withall; and that divers and sundry persons allso
which have bin sent and imployed in the said plantacion of the said First
Colonie in Virginia at and upon the chardge of the said Companie, and having
there misbehaved themselves by mutinies, sedition, and other notorious
misdemeanors, or having bin employed or sent abroad by the governor of
Virginia or his deputie with some ship or pinnace for provi-sions for the
said Colonie, or for some discoverie or other buisines and affaires
concerning the same, have from thence most trecherouslie either come back
againe and retorned into our realme of England by stelth or without licence
of our Gov-ernor of our said Colonie in Virginia for the time being, or have
bin sent hither as misdoers and offenders; and that manie allsoe of those
persons after their retourne from thence, having bin questioned by our said
Counsell here for such their misbehaviors and offences, by their insolent
and contemptuous carriage in the presence of our said Counsaile, have shewed
little respect and reverence, either to the place or authoritie in which we
have placed and appointed them; and others, for the colouring of their
lewdnes and misdemeanors committed in Virginia, have endeavored them by most
vile and slanndrous reports made and divulged, aswell of the cuntrie of
Virginia as alsoe of the government and estate of the said plantacion and
Colonie, as much as in them laie, to bring the said voyage and plantacion
into disgrace and contempt; by meanes where of not only the adventures and
planters alreadie ingaged in the said plantacion have bin exceedingly abused
and hindred, and a greate nomber of other our loving and welldisposed
subjects otherwise well affected and inclyning to joine and adventure insoe
noble, Christian and worthie an action have bin discouraged from the same,
but allsoe the utter overthrow and ruine of the said enterprise hath bin
greatlie indanngered which cannott miscarrie without some dishonor to us and
our kingdome;
Now, for asmuch as it appeareth unto us that theis insolences,
misdemeanors and abuses, not to be tollerated in anie civill government,
have for the most part growne and proceeded in-regard of our Counsaile have
not anie direct power and authoritie by anie expresse wordes in our former
lettres patent to correct and chastise such offenders, we therefore, for the
more speedy reformacion of soe greate and enormous abuses and misdemeanors
heretofore practised and committed, and for the preventing of the like
hereafter, doe by theis present for us, our heires and successors, give and
grannt to the said Treasurer and Companie, and their successors for ever,
that itt shall and maie be lawfull for our said Councell for the said First
Colonie in Virginia or anie twoe of them, whereof the said Tresorer or his
deputie for the time being to be allwaies one by warrant under their handes
to send for, or cause to be apprehended, all and every such person and
persons who shalbe noted or accused or found, att anie time or times here
after, to offend or misbehave themselves in anie the offences before
mencioned and expressed; and uppon the examinacion of anie such offender or
offendors and just proofe made by oath taken before the Counsaile of anie
such notorious misdemeanors by them committed as aforesaid; and allsoe uppon
anie insolent, contemptuous or unreverent carriage and misbehavior to or
against our said Counsell shewed or used by anie such person or persons soe
called, convented and apear-ing before them as aforesaid; that in all such
cases theie, our said Counsell or anie twoe of them for the time being,
shall and maie have full power and authoritie either here tO binde them over
with good suerties for their good behaviour and further therein to proceed
to all intents and purposes, as itt is used in other like cases within our
realme of England; or ells att their discrescion to remannd and send back
the said offenders or anie of them unto the said Colonie in Virginia, there
to be proceeded against and punished as the Governor, deputie and Counsell
there for the time being shall thinke meete; or other- wise, according to
such lawes and ordinannces as are or shalbe in use there for the well
ordring and good governement of the said Colonie.
And, for the more effectuall advanncing of the said plantacion, we
doe further, for us, our heires and successors, of our especiall grace and
favour, by vertue of our prorogative royall and by the assent and consent of
the Lordes and others of our Privie Coun-salle, give and grannte unto the
said Tresorer and Companie full power and authoritie, free leave, libertie
and licence to sett forth, errect and publishe one or more lotterie or
lotteries to have continuance and to [endure] and be held for the space of
one whole yeare next after the opening of the same, and after the end and
expiracion of the said terme the said lotterie or lotteries to continue and
be further kept, during our will and pleasure onely and not otherwise. And
yet, nevertheles, we are contented and pleased, for the good and wellfare of
the said plantacion, that the said Tresorer and Companie shall, for the
dispatch and finishing of the said lotterie or lotteries, have six months
warn-inge after the said yeare ended before our will and pleasure shall, for
and on that behalfe, be construed, deemed and adjudged to be in anie wise
altered and determined.
And our further will and pleasure is that the said lottery or
lottaries shall and maie be opened and held within our cittie of London or
in anie other cittie or citties, or ellswheare within this our realme of
England, with such prises, articles, condicions and limitacions as to them,
the said Tresorer and Companie, in their discreascions shall seeme
convenient.
And that itt shall and may be lawfull to and for the said Tresorer
and Companie to ellect and choose receivors, auditors, surveyors,
comissioners, or anie other officers whatsoever, att their will and pleasure
for the better marshalling and guiding and governing of the said lottarie or
lottaryes; and that itt shalbe likewise lawfull to and for the said Tresorer
and anie twoe of the said Counsell to minister unto all and everie such
persons soe ellected and chosen for officers as aforesaid one or more oathes
for their good behaviour, just and true dealing in and about the lottarie or
lottaries to the intent and purpose that none of our loving subjects,
putting in their monies or otherwise adventuring in the said generall
lotterie or lottaries, maie be in anie wise defrauded and deceived of their
said monies or evill and in-directlie dealt withall in their said
adventures.
And we further grannt in manner and forme aforesaid, that itt
shall and maie be lawfull to and for the said Treasurer and Companie, under
the seale of our Counsell for the plantacion, to publishe or to cause and
procure to be published by proclama-cion or otherwise, the said proclamacion
to be made in their name by vertue of theise present, the said lottarie or
lotteries in all citties, townes, boroughts, throughfaires and other places
within our said realme of England; and we will and commande all mayors,
justices of peace, sheriffs, bayliffs, constables and other our officers and
loving subjects whatsoever, that in noe wise theie hinder or delaie the
progresse and proceeding of the said lottarie or lottaries but be therein
and, touching the premisses, aiding and assisting by all honest, good and
lawfull meanes and endevours.
And further our will and pleasure is that in all questions and
dobts that shall arise uppon anie difficultie of construccion or
interpretacion of anie thing conteined in theis or anie other our former
lettres patent the same shalbe taken and interpreted in most ample and
beneficiall manner for the said Tresorer and Companie and their successors
and everie member there of.
And lastly we doe by theis present retifie and confirme unto the
said Treasorer and Companie, and their successors for ever, all and all
manner of priviledges, franchises, liberties, immuni- ties, preheminences,
profitts and commodities whatsoever grannted unto them in anie our [former]
lettres patent and not in theis present revoked, altered, channged or
abridged. Although ex-presse mencion [of the true yearly value or certainty
of the pre-mises, or any of them, or of any other gift or grant, by us or
any of our progenitors or predecessors, to the aforesaid Tresurer and
Company heretofore made, in these Presents is not made; or any statute, act,
ordinance, provisions, proclamation, or restraint, to the contrary thereof
heretofore made, ordained, or provided, or any other matter, cause, or
thing, whatsoever, to the contrary, in any wise, notwithstanding.]
In witnes whereof [we have caused these our letters to be made
patents.] Wittnes our selfe att Westminster, the twelveth daie of March
[1612] [in the ninth year of our reign of England, France, and Ireland, and
of Scotland the five and fortieth.]
Per breve de privato sigillo, etc.
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The U. S. Constitution
