The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-29

and Council sat with the Burgesses, ana
took part in motions, debates, &c. The ,
secretary of the Assembly was chosen
Speaker, although not Burgess eiecteu
by the planters.
The number Of Burgesses was twenty
two, the "city Of Henricus"( Richmonu'
sending Thomas Dowse and John 70
lentine. The Assembly was in session
from the 30th of July to the l4th OF
August, 1919. The sessions OF the booy
were held ain the Quire of the Churche,
and Sir George Yeardley, the Cover
nour being sette downe in his accus-
toned place, the COUNSEL OF Estate safe
nexte hmm on both handles" After
prayer, '.the Burgesses were entreatted
to retyre themselves into we bodye ofye
Churche, which being done, the oath OF
allegiance was administered, none stag
gering at it," ei 's'.3
After disposing of several knotty con-
tested elected cases, the Assembly went
to work with will. The first action OF
the Assembly was to solemnly consider
the complaint of no less parsonage than
the famous old Indian king, "Opochan-
cano," against one "Captaine MARITIME
who, having sent his "shallop" up that
mighty stream, the Chickahominy, in
search of corn, found an Indian "canoa'
loaded with grain, from which, with his
men, he "took by force the corne, meas
uring it with a basket, they had in the
shallop, and not giving them due salts
faction in copper, beaacs, and other
trucking stuffe.n
Captaine MARITIME having been dispos-
ed Of, the next obstacle to legislation
feelingly mentioned is that the Speaker
. "hath for a long time bene sextreame
sickely, and therefore not able to passe
through long Harrangues," which, it
seems, the longwinded Virginians of
1919 were addicted to making.
: The "Petitions" which this Assembly
/; forwarded to England were, many of
!. them, of very singular character. In
one of them the Burgesses ask 'share"
of land "apiece to the male children be-
gotten in Virginia, they being the only
y hope of a posterity," and 'shares for
}. their wives also, as for themselves; be.
r cause, that in new plantation, it is not
known whether man or woman be she
!, most necessary"
= Among the petitions is one for the
- erection of a College or University
asking that workmen and building ma
terial be sent to the Colony. The first
laws enacted by this Assembly, were
N against "Idlenes, Gaming, Drunkenes
e, and Excesse in APPAREL"
es The following are the laws to punish
s. these vices
at First in detestation of Idlenes, be i
It, | enacted, that if any mann be fOunde II
% live as an Idler. or runagate, though 1
- freedman, it shall be lawful for tina
}! plantation to which he belongeth to ap
ct point him a master to serve for wage
he till he shewe apparent signs of Amende
ed ment. Lar
'' Against gameing at dice and cards b
it ordained that the winner or winner
shall loose all his and their winuinge
" and both winners and lOOsers shall
as forfoicte ten shillings man, one te
n, shillings to go to the dscoverer, and tn
ha rest to charitable and pious uses.
q. Drunkenness was punished in til
rs first instance by a "reproof by the Mir
ots lister privately-the second offence b
,;s public reproof, the third by confinemer
.is in the stocks for twelve hours" and
,d he continue in this vice he shall undo
10 goe suche severe punishment as tt
no. Governor and COUNSEL of Estate sha
see fit to infiicte." "Excesse in app,
RELIEF was fined for extravaganza in
colonist's own dress as we'll as for tn
he of his wife and children. Severe pu
ion ishments were also inflicted upon tho
the who enticed awaye the tenantes al
yet servants of a particular plantation" al
ON it was made '.the duty of the Govern
phi. and COUNSEL of Estate most severely
)On punish both the seducers and the s
in duced; and to return these latter to the
or former places" M lr uf-
an Having disposed of the "Genera
in Lawes" on the morning of the Sd
we'd August, 1919, the Assembly proceed
I've 10 enact u Untrue SOFle VI iaWb (sucu
ed. might proceede out of every mans p
waite conceipte), which were referred
halves to those Committees which we
. from the beginning" Whereupon Ca
tain William Powell prayed to ha
;eh Justice done against lewd and trcac
erous servant of his, who had false
I've accused him to gett him degraded fire
of the place and title of Captaine."
yir. This horrible crime SO outraged t
ssu Assembly that the unfortunate servs
has was sentenced Ito stand Tower dais
rye with his cares nayled to the pillory, VI
ulls Wednesday. August 4th, and SO Iii
yir- wyse Thursday, Fryday, and Saturd
rye next following, and on every one
tie those days to be publiquely whipped
pre- The Legislature having establish
had William Powell pretty firmIyin his q
t of nifty and title of "Captaine," enacted
Vir- multitude of the ''thirde sorte of LAY
: of such as may issue out of each mans l
.