The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-24

Richmond, Va, March "a, 1901 COLON
Governor Captain Stcgge sailed with the expedition under
Captain Dennis Boil, lost in the Storm and the
and devolved upon Captain Curtis. Iii January 1862, the
expedition reached Virginia. and probably at this time
that Claiborne and Bennett learned Of their appointment
serve commissioners.
Wearc told that old Berkeley game cock that lie was
seeing the approach the English force called the militia
OF the colony that time twelve hundred strong and per-
suaded Dutch vessels, then i'll English waters
themselves for resistance These vessels had right, under
the navigation act be in Virginia waters, and Liable
to be seized and conscated by the English government We
told that every preparation ade for resistance at
Jamestown, but before any shots passed party from
the British force ashore and proceeded to ask for
goatons The commissioners the arrival OF the English
force had not at once to Jamestown but had first issued
approximation, which various parts OF the colony
stating that their purpose war, but only Is
ask that the people Of Virginia should recognize the Common
wealth England This procaationhad its effect and when
the party for negotiation landed at amt stown though Berkc
ley had troops and vessels ready for fight the
had difficulty persuadng the Council and Burgcsses to
recognize parliamentary and to to
statute contrary the laws ST England Articles OF
render drawn up between The Commonwealth OF Eng
land represented by Bennett Curtis and Claiborne V
na represented by the Gland Assembly Of the Governor
Counc.and Burgcsscs of Virginia II was in reality more
treaty than surrender for the commissioners agreed that
the General Assembly should transact the affairs Of Virginia
and that the Commonwealth Of England should acknowledge
all OF the bounds and limits granted to Virginia by the char
tiers Of the former Kings Moreover they agreed that Vir
gnia should have free trade and SHOULD be free taxes,
customs and mposons whatsoever, and be imposed
them without the Of the Grand Assembly,. Old
Berkeley accepted the verdict qietly retired
try home The Virginia Assembly shortly afterwards pro-
ceeded to elect Governor Richard Bennett Puritan
When Harvey thrust out the Council, with the ap-
prova Of the House Of Burgcsse lad requested Captain
West to Governor awaiting the pleasure Of Majesty
the King. But the Assembly lid the pleasure
OF the Commonwealth but deliberately elected Governor
For eight years the government Of the colony was entirely
in the hands Of the Assembly and during this period
different Governors we're elected.
At the time of the coming Of commissioners
prosperous colony There thirteen counties along
the James River and York River including the Shore
and Lancaster county the Rappafanrock Norhumber
land COUNT, the Potomac Settlements had reached
the head Of tdewatcr, however ypace except at tic
falls Of the James, where Richmond stands It is hardtp
estimate the population at this PERIOD but the rapid nfl, OF
the population twenty thousand OF whom SIX thou
sand were ndented and five hundred negro slaves
During the Commonwealth period when Virginia was
ruled by Governor elected by Assembly, we are not
to that all Of the people accord with the new
government Tor the Puritan e1emcot was now in the ascen-
dancy This unpleasant the Cavalier cc-
ment Of Virginia Berkeley Old Green Springs lit
tie and suppressed many hostile feeling Some however
were outspoken against the government and arrested
and punished Moreover, tire government during this time
regarded PROVISIONAL and not known at what
t1,a