the
handes and Custody of the Burgesses of every Incorporation and
plantation one pound of the best Tobacco, to be distributed to the
Speaker and likewise to the Clerke and sargeant of the Assembly,
according to their degrees and rankes, the whole bulke whereof to be
delivered into the Speaker's handes, to be divided accordingly. And in
regarde[451] the Provost Marshall of James citty hath also given some
attendance upon the said Generall Assembly, he is also to have a share
out of the same. And this is to begin to be gathered the 24^{th} of
February nexte.

[445] general, McDonald.

[446] greate, Bancroft.

[447] this, McDonald.

[448] only, McDonald.

[449] yett, Bancroft.

[450] severall, McDonald, Bancroft.

[451] regard to, McDonald; regard, Bancroft.

In conclusion, the whole Assembly comaunded[452] the Speaker (as nowe he
doth) to present their humble excuse to the Treasurer[453] Counsell &
Company in England for being constrained by the intemperature of the
weather and the falling sick of diverse of the Burgesses to breake up so
abruptly--before they had so much as putt their lawes to the ingrossing.
This they wholly comited to[454] the fidelity of their speaker, who
therin[455] (his conscience telles him) hath done the parte[456] of an
honest man, otherwise he would be easily founde[457] out by the
Burgesses themselves, who w^{th} all expedition are to have so many
bookes of the same lawes as there be both Incorporations and Plantations
in the Colony.

[452] comanded, McDonald, Bancroft.

[453] Tresurer, McDonald, Bancroft.

[454] in, Bancroft.

[455] therein, McDonald.

[456] part, McDonald.

[457] woulde easily be found, McDonald; would easily be founde,
Bancroft.

In the seconde place, the Assembly doth most humbly crave pardon that in
so shorte[458] a space they could bring their matter to no[459] more
perfection, being for the present enforced to sende home titles rather
then lawes, Propositions rather then resolutions, Attemptes then
Acchievements, hoping their courtesy will accepte our poore indevour,
and their wisedome wilbe[460] ready to supporte the weaknes of this
little flocke.

[458] short, McDonald.

[459] no, omitted by McDonald.

[460] will be, McDonald, Bancroft.

Thirdly, the General Assembly doth humbly beseech[461] the said
Treasurer,[462] Counsell & Company, that albeit it belongeth to them
onely to allowe or to abrogate any lawes w^{ch} we shall here make,[463]