Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-07-27
PLAN TO CELEBRATE
= BOOTH ANNIVERSARY
President Wilson May Deliver Address on July 80 Com
u: memorating the First Sitting of the House of
Burgesses in 1919 at Jamestown

On next Wednesday there will be cei-
ebrated at the Virginia Capitol the
3oo:h anniversary Of the sitting OF the
hrst representative lawmakipg body in
America, the House OF Burgesses. which
met at jamestown on July 80. 1919.
II resident Wilson Is able to accept
the invitation to attend the celebration.
the observance will be conducted in
Capitol Square, but, should he not
come. the ceremonies will be held in
the hall Of the House of Delegates.
While the last General Assembly. an
ticipatng the anniversary Of this no.
table date in Virginia history. ap,
pointed a committee looking forward
to fitting celebration. and made
small appropriation to meet the ex-
pense OF such celebration no step has
been taken by the committee as yet to-
ward such celebration
The Colonial Danes of Virginia, how
William WIFI RSn coN Of nia s
TO mark the tercentennal anniversary
OF the most important date In Ameri,
can history with simple ceremonies in
the Capitol II the plan to have Presi-
dent Wilson here fails.
Speeches and 3Iusic.
DR.. Douglas s. Freeman has been
asked to deliver the tercentenn!al al.
dress on this occasion, and there VIII
he several musical numbers on the pro-
gram.
]. Ri Rev william cabell Brown. D.
D.. Bishop of Virginia. will deliver the
Invocation and the benediction. w. G.
Stanard, secretary of the Virginia HIS
,orical Society. viii Introduce the
speaker
Officers OF the Colonial DANES Of Viz
Sinia, besides the president: Mrs. VIII
liam Rufiin Cox. are Mrs. Christopher
Tompk!ns. fret vice president; Mrs
Sally Nelson Robins, second vice-pres-
iden,. who is also the virginia his
nia}v "a r
and Mrs. Ganyiile Valentine. treasurer.
The committee appointed by the last
General Assembly of Virginia TO ar
range for titting celebration Of the
sitting OF the first legislative body in
America is headed by Governor West
moreiand Davis The other members members
aa HiSe Captain a H 81. H. % Baker .'A"S0us'
Fron h!sterical papers preserved rHss,, In
TO secure an account Of the event
| which July 80 commentaries.
Colonists Brought Rights.
The English co,onis,s who first set
tied In America brought with them by
their charter. says one OF these. early
Nirg!n;an historians. all the rights of
Engiishmen. But local seif-Govern-
ians at first. They suffered great hard
ships under what rescmbled mill
tary government until the year 1918,
when. the colony was deemed sufficient
| y grow to warrant an assembly.
In that year Sir George feardley ar
ernor General from the London Com
pany. which had planned and governed
lh eoony aa tRa
brought JOY to the hearts Of the colo
nists.
they might have a handle in the gov
crnnge OF themselves, IL was granted
tina; General Assemble should be
helde yearly once. whereat We're to be
present the Gov'r and Council with
two .Bu!gesses from each plantation
freely TO be elected by the inhabitants
thereof: this assemble 10 have power
TO make and ordain whatsoever laws
and and orders should by them be .hogEht
ance."
Flaming Comet Appears.
Charter Of Virginia. was issued no.
chronicles affirm flaming comet APP
peared in the heavens. which was con-
sdesed then nI an II Smn nu, which
as heavenly recognition of the great
boon which had been bestowed upon
October &C. and the prevailing supersti-
ton prevented the sailing of Governor
Yeardley till 1t was safely departed.
sion and instructions January 2. 1919.
more than year before the sailing of
the Pilgrims.
In accordance with this commiss ion.
in June OF 1913. Governor Yeardley
sent his summons all over. the country,
as we'll IS to invite those of the Cohn-
Gil OF State that, were absent. as for
the election OF two BurEesses from
each OF the plantations. to meet at
Jamestown July 80, 1919.
Since this was the hrst legislative
assembly which met in America and
was the beginning Of the free institus
tlons now enjoyed in this republic.
the detailed account of that frst"as-
sembly has peculiar interest for all
Virginians.
First Meeting in Church.
The. place of meeting WAS the Eplsco-
pal Church. wooden building in
Jamestown, sixty feet long and twenty
four feet wide. It's communion table
was Of black walnut; its chancels and
pews of cedar. 1t had handsome wide
windows, also made of cedar which
could be shut and opened, according to
the weather. A green velvet chair was
placed in the choir, in which the Gov
ernor sat.
The building was so constructed as
to be very light within. and early his
torians affirm that.the Governor caused
It to be kept passing sweet and
trimmed up with divers flowers.
The native Virginia flowers in sea-
son were doubtless used. There might
be seen festoons of the Trumpet
Creeper. with It's splendid scarlet
y flowers. mingled with the sweet