61.

Death of Oliver Cromwell--Succeeded by his Son Richard--
Assembly acknowledge his Authority--Character of Government
of Virginia under the Commonwealth of England--Matthews dies--
Richard Cromwell resigns the Protectorate--Supreme Power
claimed now by the Assembly--Sir William Berkley elected
Governor--Act for suppressing Quakers--Free Trade established--
Stuyvesant's Letter--Charles the Second restored--Sends a new
Commissioner to Berkley--His Reply--Grant of Northern Neck--
The Navigation Act.

ON the 8th of March, 1660, the house of burgesses having sent a
committee to notify the governor that they attended his pleasure, he
presented the following letter:--

"GENTLEMEN,--His late Highness, the Lord Protector, from that
general respect which he had to the good and safety of all the
people of his dominion, whether in these nations, or in the
English plantations abroad, did extend his care to his colony
in Virginia, the present condition and affairs whereof
appearing under some unsettledness through the looseness of
the government, the supplying of that defect hath been taken
into serious consideration, and some resolutions passed in
order thereunto, which we suppose would have been brought into
act by this time, if the Lord had continued life and health to
his said highness. But it hath pleased the Lord, on Friday,
the third of this month, to take him out of the world, his
said highness having in his lifetime, according to the humble
petition and advice, appointed and declared the most noble and
illustrious lord, the Lord Richard, eldest son to his late
highness, to be his successor, who hath been accordingly, with
general consent and applause of all, proclaimed Protector of
this Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the
dominions and territories thereunto belonging. And, therefore,
we have thought fit to signify the same unto you, whom we
require, according to your duty, that you cause his said
Highness, Richard, Lord Protector, forthwith to be proclaimed
in all parts of your colony. And his highness' council have
thought fit hereby to assure you, that the settlement of that
colony is not neglected; and to let you know, that you may
expect shortly to receive a more express testimony of his
highness' care in that beh