resolved to be perfect, and did expecte
nothing[68] but our assente thereunto?[69] To this we answere, that we
did it not to the ende to correcte or controll anything therein
contained, but onely in case we should finde ought not perfectly
squaring w^{th} the state of this Colony or any lawe w^{ch} did presse
or binde too harde, that we might by waye of humble petition, seeke to
have it redressed, especially because this great Charter is to binde us
and our heyers for ever.

[62] W^{ch}, McDonald.

[63] Gen^{ll}, McDonald.

[64] The substance of these will be found in the paper, "A briefe
Declaration," &c. See post.--.

[65] W^{ch}, McDonald.

[66] expeditions, Bancroft.

[67] Englande, McDonald.

[68] nothinge, McDonald.

[69] thereunto, McDonald and Bancroft.

The names of the Comitties for perusing the first booke of the
fower:
1. Captain William Powell,
2. Ensigne Rosingham,
3. Captaine Warde,
4. Captaine Tucker,
5. Mr. Shelley,
6. Thomas Douse,
7. Samuel Jordan,
8. Mr. Boys.

The names of the Comitties for perusing the second booke:

1. Captaine Dawne,[N]
2. Captaine Graves,
3. Ensigne Spense,
4. Samuel Sharpe,
5. William Cap,
6. Mr. Pawlett,
7. Mr. Jefferson,
8. Mr. Jackson.

These Comitties thus appointed, we brake up the first forenoon's
assembly.

[N] Lawne, McDonald, and Bancroft, the list of Burgesses on p. 10,
showing this to be proper.

* * * * *

After dinner the Governo^r and those that were not of the Comitties[70]
sate a seconde time, while the said Comitties[71] were employed in the
perusall of those twoe bookes. And whereas the Speaker had propounded
fower severall objects for the Assembly to confider on: namely, first,
the great charter of orders, lawes and priviledges; Secondly, which of
the instructions given by the Counsel in England to my lo: la:
warre,[72] Captain Argall or Sir George Yeardley, might conveniently
putt on the habite of lawes; Thirdly, what lawes might issue out of the
private conceipte of any of the Burgesses, or any other of the Colony;
and lastly, what petitions were[73] fitt to be sente home for England.
It pleased the Governou^r[74] for expedition[75] sake to have the second
objecte[76] of the fower to be examined & prepared by himselfe and the
Non-Comitties. Wherin after having spente some three howers'[77]
conference, the twoe Committies[78] brought in their opin