The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-08-07
a'Do.ne8tlr.
5far tl)e Cnqulrrr.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
August 8.


We have been favored by William Waller
Hening. Esq the Editor of that excellent
work Statutes at Large" with the follow
ing very curious historical document. The
Queries, herein detailed, were propounded
lii the year 1879 and the answers were Civ
en- in 1871, while Sir V,lHGm Berkekey was
Governor OF Virginia. -Perhaps, tnere is no
where TO be found a more correct Statistical
Account OF Virginia, during that period. The
answers, bear the stamp great cand II, and
are Clearly from the the pen OF q man, VINO
was well versed in the concerns of tins coun
try having been Tor many years govern
or OF the colony. It's, therefore, an in. crest
ing morceaW for the Antiquarian, who de-
lights 10 delve amidst the mOsses of antIuuI-
~, as well as the ii ,storIan. whose business
IL is to trace the rise, circumstances and
growth OF States.
IL seems to have been feature in the Dol
ICY OF the mother country. a. Mr.. Ii truly
remarks, I" to keep the co!onists as ignorant
as possible. We have seen, that IN the
year 1852, during the rule OF Lord Cul
pepper, the first rays of the Press we're sud
denly extinguished by an Order of Council
and Primer was Commands not TO PRINT
any thing hereafter. until his majesty's plea
sure shall De known" And we see IA ehe
following document, Sir w. Berkeley fhQnk-
ing God, that there were no = free schools"
or = hrtntinS ;" and hopes mat we Shall
nave none these hundred years."-Tne Press
has BEEN III ali ages, since Its institution, the
terror of tyrants-and SIR w. Berkeley
seems to have been OF the same opinion
with the shrewd ECciesiastic it we do
not destroy the, Press, the Press will destroy
u.s.
- ~ IN RI ~
submitted by he Lords ComniiSsioners
0Jorcign Plantations, zvith The GoUern-
or s answers TO each distinct head.
What Councils, Assemblies, and Courts
of Judicature are within your government, &
OF what nature and kind
14nS7uer. There is a governor and sixteen
counseliurs who have from his sacred ma
Jesue, a Commission of oyer GnG TtrmineT,
VINO Judge and determine all Causes that are
above l5l. sterling tor what is under, there
are particular Courts in every county, which
are twenty III number. Every year, at least,
the Assembly is called before whom lie ap
peals and this assembly is composed OF IS, o
burgesses, out of every county. These lay
the necessary taxes, as the necessity of the
war with the Indians, or their exgences re
quire.
2. What courts of judicature are with :.
." J Oul 6OESlhuiShl iStdNliiS 10 the auinlral
ty!
.4n&7oer. In twenty eight years, there has
never been one prize brought into the coun
try /; SO that there is no need for particular
court for that concern.
s. Where the legislative and execu-
tive powers OF your government are seat =
ed
.dnS7ver. In the Governor. Council, and
Assembly, and officers substituted by them.
q. What statute laws and ordinances are
now made, and IN force
Hns7oer The Secretary Of this country
every year sends 20 the Lord Chancellor. I
or one OF the principal Secretaries. what
laws are yearly made which for the most
part Concern only our own private exigen-
cies Tor, contrary to the laws of England,
we never did, nor dare, make any. only dis,
that no sale Of iaud /, good aud legal, unless
within three months alter the conveyance, IT
I -
Tnc " ENQUIRIES" being prsfxed to the an
swers, 1t has been deemed unnecessary to rcr,e Al
them here They commence on page 254 the
book above referred to, and are thus subscribed
on page 236