40,000
-------
Total 202,000

(_Compendium of United States Census_.)

[363:A] Beverley, B. i. 104.

CHAPTER XLV.

1703.

Assembly held in the College--Ceremony of opening the
Session--The Governor's Speech.

A MEETING of the general assembly was held at her majesty's Royal
College of William and Mary, in March, 1703, being the second year of
Queen Anne's reign, and, by prorogation, again in April, 1704.[364:A]
The clerk of the general assembly was ordered to wait upon the house of
burgesses and inform them that his excellency commanded their immediate
attendance on him in the council chamber. The burgesses having complied
with this order, his excellency was pleased to let them know that her
most sacred majesty having been pleased to renew his commission to be
her majesty's lieutenant and governor-general of this her majesty's most
ancient and great colony and dominion of Virginia, he would cause the
said commission to be read to them. This being done, he read them that
part of his instructions wherein the council are nominated, and informed
the house that upon the death of Colonel Page, the number of councillors
having fallen under nine, he had appointed one to supply that vacancy.
The governor next mentioned to the house that he had commissioned some
of her majesty's honorable council to administer the oath to the
burgesses. Whereupon they withdrew, and the oath was administered by the
Honorable William Byrd, John Lightfoot, and Benjamin Harrison. These
gentlemen returning to the council chamber, the clerk of the assembly
was ordered to wait again upon the house of burgesses, and acquaint them
that his excellency commanded their immediate attendance on him. The
house of burgesses complying with this order, the governor made the
following speech:--

"HONORABLE GENTLEMEN,--

"God Almighty, I hope, will be graciously pleased so to
direct, guide, and enable us, as that we may, to all intents
and purposes, answer her majesty's writ by which this assembly
was called, and by prorogation is now met in this her majesty
Queen Anne her royal capitol; which being appointed by law for
holding general assemblies and general courts, my hopes
likewise are that they may continue to be held in this place
for the promoting of God's glory, her majesty, and her
successors' interest and service with t