for distribution among the members of the Assembly. The
attention of Virginians was first drawn to the existence of this
document by Conway Robinson, Esq., Chairman of the Executive Committee
of the Virginia Historical Society.

The number of burgesses was twenty-two. For James City, Captain William
Powell, Ensign William Spense; for Charles City, Samuel Sharpe and
Samuel Jordan; for the City of Henricus, Thomas Dowse, John Polentine;
for Kiccowtan, Captain William Tucker, William Capp; for Martin-Brandon,
Captain John Martin's Plantation, Mr. Thomas Davis, Mr. Robert Stacy;
for Smythe's Hundred, Captain Thomas Graves, Mr. Walter Shelley; for
Martin's Hundred, Mr. John Boys, John Jackson; for Argall's Gift, Mr.
Pawlett, Mr. Gourgainy; for Flowerdieu Hundred, Ensign Rossingham, Mr.
Jefferson; for Captain Lawne's Plantation, Captain Christopher Lawne,
Ensign Washer; for Captain Ward's Plantation, Captain Ward, Lieutenant
Gibbes.

[142:A] Proceedings of the First Assembly of Virginia, in 1619.

CHAPTER XII.

1619-1621.

The New Laws--Yeardley, Governor--Affairs of the Colony--
Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth--Negroes Imported into
Virginia--Supplies sent out from England--Wives for the
Colonists--The Bishops directed to take up Collections for aid
of the Colony in erecting Churches and Schools--England claims
a Monopoly of Virginia Tobacco--Charitable Donations.

THUS after eleven years of suffering, peril, discord, and tyranny,
intermingled with romantic adventure, bold enterprise, the dignity of
danger, virtuous fortitude, and generous heroism, were at length
established a local legislature and a regular administration of right.
The Virginia planters expressed their gratitude to the company, and
begged them to reduce into a compend, with his majesty's approbation,
such of the laws of England as were applicable to Virginia, with
suitable additions, "because it was not fit that his subjects should be
governed by any other rules than such as received their influence from
him." The acts of the Assembly were transmitted to England for the
approval of the treasurer and company. They were thought to have been
very judiciously framed, but the company's committee found them
"exceeding intricate and full of labor." There was granted to the old
planters an exemption from all compulsive service to the colony, with a
confirmation of their estates, which were to be holden as by English