An Ordinance and Constitution of the Virgina Company in
England
24 July 1621
*** Quote * Context ***
An
Ordinance and Constitution of the Treasurer Council, and Company in
England, for a Council of State and General Assembly.
To all
people, to whom these presents shall come, be seen, or heard, the
treasurer, council, and company of adventurers and planters for the city
of London for the first colony of Virginia, send greeting. Know ye, that
we, the said treasurer, council, and company, taking into our careful
consideration the present state of the said colony of Virginia, and
intending by the divine assistance, to settle such a form of government
there, as may be to the greatest benefit and comfort of the people, and
whereby all injustice, grievances, and oppression may be prevented and
kept off as much as possible, from the said colony, have thought fit to
make our entrance, by ordering and establishing such supreme councils,
as may not only be assisting to the governor for the time being, in the
administration of justice, and the executing of other duties to this
office belonging, but also, by their vigilant care and prudence, may
provide, as well for a remedy of all inconveniences, growing from time
to time, as also for advancing of increase, strength, stability, and
prosperity of the said colony:
We therefore, the said treasurer,
council, and company, by authority directed to us from his majesty under
the great seal, upon mature deliberation, do hereby order and declare,
that, from hence forward, there shall be two supreme councils in
Virginia, for the better government of the said colony aforesaid.
The
one of which councils, to be called the council of state (and whose
office shall chiefly be assisting, with their care, advice, and
circumspection, to the said governor) shall be chosen, nominated,
placed, and displaced, from time to time, by us the said treasurer,
council and company, and our successors: which council of state shall
consist, for the present only of these persons, as are here inserted,
viz., sir Francis Wyatt, governor of Virginia, captain Francis West, sir
George Yeardley, knight, sir William Neuce, knight, marshal of Virginia,
Mr. George Sandys, treasurer, Mr. George Thorpe, deputy of the college,
captain Thomas Neuce, deputy for the company, Mr. Powlet, Mr. Leech,
captain Nathaniel Powel, Mr. Christopher Davidson, secretary, Doctor
Potts, physician to the company, Mr. Roger Smith, Mr. John Berkeley, Mr.
John Rolfe, Mr. Ralph Hamer, Mr. John Pountis, Mr. Michael Lapworth, Mr.
Harwood, Mr. Samuel Macock. Which said counsellors and council we
earnestly pray and desire, and in his majesty's name strictly charge and
command, that (all factions, partialities, and sinister respect laid
aside) they bend their care and endeavours to assist the said governor;
first and principally, in the advancement of the honour and service of
God, and the enlargement of his kingdom against the heathen people; and
next, in erecting of the said colony in due obedience to his majesty,
and all lawful authority from his majesty's directions; and lastly, in
maintaining the said people in justice and christian conversation
amongst themselves, and in strength and ability to withstand their
enemies. And this council, to be always, or for the most part, residing
about or near the governor.
The other council, more generally to be
called by the governor, once yearly, and no oftener, but for very
extraordinary and important occasions, shall consist for the present, of
the said council of state, and of two burgesses out of every town,
hundred, or other particular plantation, to be respectively chosen by
the inhabitants: which council shall be called The General Assembly,
wherein (as also in the said council of state) all matters shall be
decided, determined, and ordered by the greater part of the voices then
present; reserving to the governor always a negative voice. And this
general assembly shall have free power, to treat, consult, and conclude,
as well of all emergent occasions concerning the publick weal of the
said colony and every part thereof, as also to make, ordain, and enact
such general laws and orders, for the behoof of the said colony, and the
good government thereof, as shall, from time to time, appear necessary
or requisite;
Whereas in all other things, we require the said
general assembly, as also the said council of state, to imitate and
follow the policy of the form of government, laws, customs, and manner
of trial, and other administration of justice, used in the realm of
England, as near as may be even as ourselves, by his majesty's letters
patent, are required.
Provided, that no law or ordinance, made in the
said general assembly, shall be or continue in force or validity, unless
the same shall be solemnly ratified and confirmed, in a general quarter
court of the said company here in England, and so ratified, be returned
to them under our seal; it being our intent to afford the like measure
also unto the said colony, that after the government of the said colony
shall once have been well framed, and settled accordingly, which is to
be done by us, as by authority derived from his majesty, and the same
shall have been so by us declared, no orders of court afterwards, shall
bind the said colony, unless they be ratified in like manner in the
general assemblies. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our common
seal the 24th of July, 1621. . . .
If you have questions, contributions, or problems with this site, email:
Coordinator - Rebecca Maloney
State Coordinator: Jeff Kemp
Asst. State Coordinators:
If you have questions or problems with this site, email the County Coordinator. Please to not ask for specfic research on your family. I am unable to do your personal research.