Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-21
TITLE OF AN OLD TOME
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE3

tumultuous assemblagc, but by the As
sembly. The royal standard was not
raised and the King was not proclaimed.
The bulk of the Virginia planters UNI
doubtedly retained their habitual attach
ment to monarchy, and to the established
schurch, and some royaist refugees had
been driven here by the civil war. The
predominant feeling, therefore. was in
favor Of the restoration. In his address
to the House of Burgesses, Governor
Berkley alluded to the late King as my
most gracious master, King Charles, of
the blessed memory and as my ever
honored master. who was put to a vio-
lent DEATH" The Berkleys were staunch
adherents of Charles. the first and ex-
IRENE royalists Sir William accepted the
place. hoping for the restoration Of
Charles, the second, and COVE pledge to
resign if that event did not occur This
was two months before General Monk
brought Charles back to the throne.
ORIGIN OF. THE "COLONELS"
The members of the council of this time
were Colonel William Claybourne, Colonel
Thomas Pettus, Colonel Edward Hill, Col
onel Thomas Dew, Colonel William Ber-
nard Colonel Obedience Robbins. Colonel
Abraham Wood Lieutenant-ColonelJ John
Walker, Colonel George Reade. Colonel
Edward Carter. Colonel Thomas Swan,
Colonel Augustine Warner, and Richard
Bennett. The last was the former Puritan
Governor, and was the only one who did
not bear the title Of Colonel which
seems to have been sort of order to
nobility applied to members Of council,
as honorable" is now applied to legisla-
tors and others distinguished by public
service
The first care of the General Assembly,
after the restoration, was to provide for
a new edition Of their laws. with a view
to adopt them to the change which had
taken place in the government. This
work was confded to Colonel Francis
Morrison and Henry Randolph, clerk OF
the House of Burgesses by a resolution
which passed at the session of March.
1660-166l and is comprised in the vol
ume before us.
These revised laws were compiled from
those previously enacted with such al
terations as rendered them consistent
with the monarchical government then
rc-eStabliShed. The preamble declares
the principal object to be, to repeal
and eNpunGe all such laws as might
keep in memory their enforced deviation
from his Majesty's obedience
HIS MAJESTY'S 'PIOUS THOUGHTS.' .
The Assembly say they have set down
certain rules to be observed in the gov
ernment of the church, until God shall
be pleased to turn his Maiestys 'pious
thoughts toward them and provide a
better supply of minister's But his
Majesty never had time for 'pious
thoughts until he came to die and then
they were all of self and Poor Nell
Gwy-nn. to his credit be it said"
An address was sent to the King and
$4,000 pounds. of tobacco, worth s., were
appropriated to A1ajor-G General Ham
mond and Colonel Guy Wordsworth. for
being employed in the address,
The rent paid for the use of the house
where the assembly met was $500 pounds
Of toba eco, worth Sl75
Four thousand pounds OF tobacco, worth
5000, were paid for the rent of the room
where the Governor and Council held
their meetings.
1t is noticeable that every business
transaction was estimated and settled
for in SO many pounds of tobacco, and
later on it became necessary to pass an
act compelling persons to accept payment
N coin Or money when the debtor desired
to use that medium.
The ordinary salary of the Governor
consisted of castle duties, licence fees,
tobacco. corn. and customs, and amount
ed to about $4,000 per annunl
"BRABBLING WOMEN" DUCkED.
An act entitled Women causing scam
dalous suits to be ducked," is one Of the
curious and unSallant acts of this period
1t recites that
Whereas, oftentmcs many brabbling
women SANDER and scandalize their
neishbors, for which their poor husbands
IRE often brought into chargeable and
vexatious suits and cost in great dam
ages; be it therefore. enacted by the
authority aforesaid. That in actions of
SANDER occasioned by the wife, as afore-
said, after judgment passed for damages
the woman shall be punished by duck
ing" She was to suffer a duclling for
each 500 pounds of tobacco adjudged
against the husband, if he refused to pay
it.
a ducl1irg stool was q reSulariy-estab-
lished institution of each county. The
Sheriff's fec for each duclling was TWEEN
~ pounds of tobacco.
MONOPOL1ZED THE FUR TRADE.
An act which gave great offence or
dered that no person shall trade with
the Indians for any beaver, otter or any
other furs, unless he first obtain a com
mission from the Governor. 1t invested
Governor Berkeley in effect with a mono
poly Of the fur trade, nice little per-
quisite.
The Governor was empowered to levy
taxes for three years without the inter-
vention of the assembly, q still more
hiSh-handed increase. being taxation
without representation.
A duty was laid on rum because ct
had, by experience been found to bring
diseases and death to divers people,"
One act is directed against merce-
nary attorneys, eNpelling them from the
and no one was suffered to receive
any compensation for serving in that
capacity.
Any member absent was subject to
penalty OF twenty pounds of tobacco
4 member disguised with overmuch
drink" forfeited one hundred pounds Of
tobacco.
A Burgess was required to rise from
his seat, and to remain uncovered while
speaking.
An act was passed for suppressinS
Quakers, which described them as unreaL
scnable and turbulent sort of people, who
daily gather together, teaching lies, mira
cles, false visions, and masters of yes
sells were prohibited from bringing in
any of this sect under q penalty Of one
hundred pounds of tobacco.
FREE TRADE ESTABLISHED.
Act WI. establishes free trade. It re-
cites that Whereas the restriction of
trade hath appeared to be the greatest
to the advance Of the es-
tinlation and value of our present only
tobacco, be it enacted, ETC.,
that the Dutch, and all strangers of what
Christian nation soever, in amity with the
people Of England shall have free liberty