Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-03-19

BY RITCHIE q DUSSASAHI'
FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1855.
A CHAPTER FROM THE EARLY HISTORY
OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
We ara indebted TO the Hon. George Bancroft for
the discovery, in the British State Paper Office, of
fnl record Of the proceedings Of the first General As
sembly of Virginia, convened by Sir George Yeard
lev. on the 3O,h July, 1919. The New York Histori
cal Society has published this curious record, toge
ther with Mr.. Bancroft's preface. The entire publ
cation is included in a small pamphlet Of thirty
pages, all Of which We commend to the attentive Pc
russl of such Of readers obtain copies. 1t
ellis serious void which has hitherto existed in our
documentary history.
From Yesrdey's arrival, in 1919, the Common
rsalh of Virginia dates its origin. For the twelve
months previous, Virginia existed in state OF most
dependent Observation-Disclosures under tho gov
eminent of Sir Thomas Smith, Treasurer Of the Vir'
GINA Company in Eugand." We are also Informed
that this government was of despotc character,
administered in suob a manner that "the colonists
suffered an extremity Of distress too horrible to be
described"
Wherever the Anglo.Saxon race has been subject.
ed to Distress" arising from the incompetency Of
government one sovereign remedy has ever been
found available. That panscea is self.governnent.
And herein we find the cause why the colo
ny Of Virginia first began to flourish under
the administration Of Governor Yeardley He brought
with him commissions and instructions from the
company for the better establishinge of Common
,ceahh heere." He made proclamation "that those
cruell awes by which we bad 30 long been govern
cd we're now abrogated and that to be gouern
ed BIZ those free a,ces which his Magesties subjects
live under in Euglande" -"And that they might haze
a Aande in the gopernnge of themselves, was grant.
ed that General Assemble shoude be helde yearly
once, whsreat were to be present the Governor and
COUNSEL with two Burgessess from each plantation,
freely to be elected by the inhabsntes thereof this
Assemble to have power 10 make and ordaine what
sosver lawes and orders should by them be though;
good and profitable for our substance"
1t it, indeed, astonishing, that historians have
been able to furnish us with details concerning the
mode In which this first step towards democratic Go.
vernmeut was initiated. As Mr. Bancroft informs us,
Captain John smith give, but meagre notice Of
the Assembly," Beverley "denies that there was any
Assembly held there before May, 1920; ," the care
full Stth" "errs little In the date, and was unable
TO find any record mo traces Of 1t were met with by
Jefferson; and Hsning, and those who followed Hen.
ing, believed it no longer extant." Thanks to Mr.
Bsncroft's researches at last advised how and
when 1t was, that the people Of Virginia began 10
ercse the right of sslfgovernment, before the Puri
tan fathers had set foot on the deck of the Mayower
The record 10 entitled "A Reporte of the Of
proceedings in the General Assembly convented at
james City in Virginia, July Both, 1919 consisting Of
~ llof md Ru
ejected out of cache Incorporation and Plantation. l.
being dissolved the 9Th of August next ensuing
The Assembly convened in the "Quire Of the
churche." Due attention paid TO all the etiquette
of rank in the manner of seating the Governor and
the Counsel of Estate" the Secretary of which wac
appointed Speaker, ADD seated opposite the Govern
or. We are also informed; John Twine, clerk Of
the General Assembly being placed neIse the Speaker
and Thomas Pierse, the Sergeant, standing at the
barre, to be ready for any service the Assembly
should command him.
The following paragraph sets forth the accustomed
reverence and loyalty for which our ancestors were
distinguished:
But forssmuche Is mems affaires doe little pros.
nar shore Coda sorvioe 10 neglected all the Burgess
ssa 'noke their places in the Quire till prayer wae
ssld BY Mr. Buckle, the Minister that it would please
%. n glory and the good OF this plantation. Prayer
bring ended, to the intente that had begun at
God Almighty, 90 we might proceed with awful &
GGe Tespecte towards biz Lieutenant our most era
tous and dread Soversiene ell the Bugaesee in
treated TO rstyrs themselves into the body of the
Churche; web being done, before they were fully ad.
miited, they called in order and by and
every tnone staggering at it, took6 tho oatbe OF
Supremacy and then entered the Assembly"
The qualifications of Burgesses were strictly scru
tinted. The Speaker took exception at "Captaine
Ward "ss having planted here in Virginia. without
authority or commission from the Treasurer COUNSEL
and company Englande. But after much debate, and
IN consideration Of many circumstances, including thu
eminent services Of Csptaine Ward (smong which
!s cited hs having Drought home good quantity
of fshe to relieve the colony by waye Of trade both
oimsef and bis lieutenant were permitted immediate.
~ 10 take their seats howev
Or, thar be should with all possible despatch procure
from England a"commssion lawfully to es,ablishs
and plant himseie and his company as the chiefs of
other plantations have DONE"
The Governor himself objected against the admis
sion Of "Captaine Martins Burgesses," unless that
gentleman would voluntarily reinquish the privileges
of his patent which rendered him and his company
independent Of the general government Of the colo
ny. Captain Martin was accordingly summoned by
order of the General Assembly, and offered the op
ton, TO withdraw his representatives resign his
elusive privileges. With ealous Of bis corpo
rate immunites, which would delight State Rights
Democra, of the present day. the stout Captain chose
the former alternative.
We are also presented with an instance Of the mar.
ner in which it usua in those days, to assist pa
ii NTH rnupicinuI anfhorify.
TUESDAY. Aug. 3rd, 1913.
This morning third sorte of lawes (such az
might proceed out of every mans private coucepte)
were read and referred by halves to the same Com
mitties which we're from the beginning.
This done, Capt. William Powell presented to the
Assembly petition, to have justice against a ewde
and ,recherous servant Of hs who by false accusation
given up in writing to the Governor, sought not
opey 10 gett him deposed from his government oil
James City, and utterly according to the Proclams
tou) to be degraded from the place and title of Cap
tnine but to take his life from him also. And out
of The said Petition sprapg this order following:
"Captaine William Powell presented Petition to
the General Assembly, against one Thomas Garnet
his business TO the great osse and prejudice of the
said Captaine, q for openly and impudently abusing
his house in sight of both Master and Mistresse,
through wantonness with woman servant of theirs,
a wddowe; but also for falsely accusing him to the
Governor, both of Drunkenes and Thefte, and be
sides for bringing all his fellow servsne to certie on
his .ide wherin they justly failed him. 1t though,
fit by the General Assemoly(the GOVERNOR himself-
giving sen;encel that he should stande tower days
with his cares nayled to the Plory, viz: Wednesday
Augt. 9TH and 20 likewise, Thursday, Fryday and
Saturday next following; and every of those Tower
dayss should be pubquely whipped
Now az touching the neglecte of his worke what
satisfaction ought to be made to his Mr. for that is
referred to the Governor and COUNSEL Of Es.ate'
The main business Of the Assembly was carried on
with admirable system and despatch. Two commit
tees were appointed, the first day Of the session.
consider the "great charter or commission OF priv
legss, orders and lswes," "onely in case should
find ought not perfectly squaring with the etate OF
this Colony or any lave which did presse bind too
harde, that we might by waye of humble petition,
seeks to have II redressed."