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A GRAND ASSEMBLY
HOLDEN AT JAMES CITTY THE 4TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1623.	1st. Revisal of the Laws.
[From a MS.* belonging to Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, and purchased by him with the library of Peyton Randolph, of his executors.]       BEINGE present Sir John Harvey, Knight Governor, &c. Capt. ffrancis West, Capt. Richard Stephens, Capt. John West, Capt. Thomas Purifie Capt. Sam. Mathewes,       Capt. Wm. Peirce, Capt. Wm. Clayborne, Capt. Wm. Perry, Mr. Wm. ffarrar.	The MS from which the acts of this session were printed, is now in the Library of Congress at Washington.
The names of the Burgisses were, vist:
ffor Arrowhattockes, the       necke of Land & Corles } } Capt. Thomas Osborne.   ffor Shirley undred Mayne       & Cawseyes Care } } Mr. Walton Aston.   ffor Shirley Hundred Iland −−− Mr. Cheyney Boys.   ffor Westover & fflowerdue Hundred −−− Mr. John ffludd.   ffor Weyanoake −−− Mr. Richard Coxe.   ffor Checohominey −−− Mr. Bridges ffreeman.   ffor Smythes mount and             Perryes Poynt. } } Mr. John Smyth.   ffor James Citty Island −−− Mr. John Jackson.   ffor Pasbeyhoigh −−− Mr. John Corker.   ffor the Necke of Land −−− Seir Thomas Crumpe.   for Gleabe Land & Archer's                   Hope } } Roger Webster, Henry Ceney.   ffor over the water agaynst             James Citty } } Mr. Richard Richards.

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in this colony and to be accounted and adjudged in force. And all other acts and orders of any assembly heretofore holden to be voyd and of none effect.	Repeal of all former acts.
ACT I.
FIRST, It is ordered, That there be a uniformitie throughout this colony both in substance and circumstance to the cannons & Constitutions of the church of England as neere as may bee and that every person yeild readie obedience unto them uppon penaltie of the paynes and forfeitures in that case appoynted.	Uniformity in doctrines and discipline of the church of England
ACT II.
AND it is thought fitt, That the statutes for cominge to church every Sonday and holidayes be dulie executed that is to say that the church-wardens doe levy one shilinge for every tyme of any person' absence from the church havinge no lawfull or reasonable excuse to bee absent. And for due execution hereof the governor and counsell togeather with the Burgisses of this Grand Assembly doe in God's name ernestlie require and charge all commanders, captaynes and church-wardens that they shall endeavor themselves to the uttermost of their knowledge that the due and true execution hereof may be done and had through this colony as they will answer before God for such evills and paynes wherewith Almightie God may iustlie punish his people for neglecting this good and wholesome lawe.	Penalty for not attending church. Exhortation to attend.
ACT III.
It is ordered, That as many of the mynisters as convientlie may, and one of the church-wardens at the least of every parish be present yearlie at midsomer quarter cortes holden at James Citty, on the first day of June and there to make theire presentments uppon oath togeather with a register of all Burialls, christenings and marriages as likewise theire accounts of all levyes, collections or disbursements as have beene or fallen out in theire tymes concerninge the churgh affayres. And further that they choose church-wardens at the feast of Easter yearelie.	Ministers and church wardens to make presentments; and return a register of marriages, births and deaths. Church-wardens, when chosen.

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ACT. IV.
NOE man shall disparage a mynister whereby the mynds of his parishioners may bee alienated from him and his mynistry prove less effectuall uppon payne of severe censure of the Governor and Counsell.	Penalty for disparaging a minister.
ACT. V.
NOE mynister shall celebrate matrymony betweene any persons without a facultie or lycense graunted by the Governor except the banes of matrymony have beene first published three severall Sondayes or holidayes in the tyme of divine service in the parish churches where the sayd persons dwell accordinge to the booke of common prayer, neither shall any mynister under any pretence whatsoever, ioyne any persons so lycened in marriage at any unseasonable tymes but onlie betweene the howres of eight and twelve in the forenoone, nor when banes are thrice asked, and no lycense in that respect necessary, before the parents or governors of the parties to be maryed yf they be under the age of twenty one yeares, shall either personally or by sufficient testimony, signifie to him theire consents given to the sayd marriage.	Matrimony, not to be celebrated, without license, or publication of banns. Within what house the ceremony to be performed. No marriage to be celebrated without consent of parents or guardians.
ACT VI.
EVERY mynister in this colony havinge cure of soules shall preach one sermon every Sonday in the yeare, havinge no lawfull impediment, and yf the mynister shall neglect theire chardge by unnecessarie absence or otherwise, the church-wardens are to present it. But because in this colony the places of theire cure are in many parts farr distant; It is thought fitt, That the mynisters doe soe devide theire turnes as by the ioynt agreement of the parishoners shall be desired.	Ministers to preach one sermon every Sunday; and to divide their time among the parishoners.
ACT VII.
IT is thought fitt, That uppon every Sonday the mynisters shall halfe an hower or more before eveninge prayer examine, catechise, and instruct the youth and ignorant persons of his parish in the ten commandments, the articles of the beliefe and the Lords prayer. And	Ministers to instruct and catechise children.

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shall diligentlie heere, instruct and teach them the catichisme, sett forth in the booke of comon prayer, and all ffathers, mothers, maysters, and mistrisses shall cause theire children, servants, and apprentizes which have not learned the catichisme to come to the church at the tyme appoynted obedientlie to heere and to be ordered by the mynister until they have learned the same. And yf any of the sayd ffathers, mothers, maysters, or mistrisses, children, servants, or apprentizes shall neglect theire duties as the one sort in not causinge them to come, and the other in refusinge to learne as aforesayd, they shall be censured by the corts in those places holden.	Penalty on parents, masters and children for neglect.
ACT. VIII.
AND it is further ordered and thought expedient, accordinge to a former order made by the Governor and Counsell, that all church-wardens, shall take this oath and that it be administred before those that are of the comission for the monthlie corts, vizt.	Church-wardens to take an oath
"You shall sweare that you shall make true presentments of all such persons as shall lead a prophane or ungodlie life, of such as shall be comon swearers; drunkards, or blaspheamers, that shall ordinarilie prophane the saboth dayes or contemne God's holy word, or sacraments, you shall also present all adulterers or fornicators, such as shall abuse their neighbours by slanderinge, tale carryinge or backbitinge, or that shall not behave themselves orderlie and soberlie in the churche duringe devine service. Likewise you shall present such masters and mistrisses as shall be delinquent in catechising of the youth and ignorant persons, soe help you God."	Form of the oath.
ACT. IX.
WHEN any person is dangerouslie sicke in any parish the mynister havinge knowledge thereof shall resort unto him or her to instruct and comfort them in theire distresse.	Ministers to visit those dangerously sick.
ACT. X.
IN every parish church within this colony shall be kept, by the mynister a booke, wherein shall be written,	Register of marriages,

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the day and yeare of ever christeninge, weddinge, and burriall.	births and deaths to be kept in each parish.
ACT XI.
MYNISTERS shall not give themselves to excess in drinkinge or ryott, spending theire tyme idelie by day or by night playinge at dice, cards, or any other unlawfull game, but at all tymes convenient they shall heare or reade somewhat of the holy scriptures, or shall occupie themselves with some other honest studies, or exercise, alwayes doinge the things which shall apperteyne to honestie and endeavour to profitt the church of God, havinge alwayes in mynd that they ought to excell all others in puritie of life, & should be examples to the people, to live well and christianlie.	Deportment of ministers.
ACT XII.
IN every parish church within this colony the holy communion shall bee adminstred by the mynister thrice in the yeare whereof the feast of Easter to be one.	Sacrament to be administered 3 times a year.
ACT XII.
AND all preachinge, adminstringe of the communion baptizinge of children and marriages shall be done in the church except in cases of necessitie.	Preaching, sacrament, baptism and marriages to be done in the church.
ACT XIV.
THE Governor and Counsell, togeather with the burgisses of the Grand Assembly uppon the petition of the mynisters within this colony, have taken into theire considerations by what way theire might be a sufficient means allowed unto the sayd mynisters, for theire better subsistence and encouragement in theire mynistry, and thereuppon have ordeyned and enacted, That theire shall be payd unto the said mynisters, the former allowance of 10lb of tobacco and a bushell of corne, in such a manner as formerlie hath beene due. And because of the low rates of tobacco at present, it is further graunted and ordered that theire shall be likewise due to the mynisters, from the first day of March last past, for and duringe the terme of one whole yeare next	Provision for ministers. 10 lb. of tobacco and a bushel of corn a tithe.

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ensueinge, the twentyeth calfe, the twentyeth kidd of goates, and the twentyeth pigge throughout all the plantations in this colony; and where the nomber of the calves, kidds, or piggs arise to twenty, then the owner is to choose five out of the sayd nomber of twenty, and the mynister is to make choyse in the sixt place, but yf it soe fall out that the nomber bee lesse than twenty, then the mynister shall sett the price, and the owner either to take the sayd calves, kidds or piggs, then fallen and pay the mynister the twentieth part or else the mynister to take the same and allow unto the owner soe much as shall be due unto him. And it is thought fitt, That the owner keep the sayd calves, kidds or piggs, untill the tyme that they be weanable, that is to say, for calves the owner too keepe them seaven weeks, and kidds likewise seaven weekes and piggs one mounth. And the parishioners are to give notice unto theire mynisters when they are to fetch theire calves, kidds and piggs that be due unto them.	Also the 20th calf, kid and pig. How set out. How long the owners to keep them To give notice to the ministers.
ACT XV.
IT is likewise ordered, That the mynisters shall have these petty duties following, vizt: ffor marriage ffor churchinge            ffor burryinge 2s. 0 1    0 1    0	Fees of ministers.
ACT XVI.
IT is ordered, That uppon the 25th of October, yf it bee not Sonday, & then the day followinge the church wardens shall give notice to the parishioners, that they bringe in the dutie of 10 lbs. of tobacco for the mynisters unto a place to be appoynted, within that plantation by the church wardens, and that the mynisters be warned to be there, or appoynt some other to receive the same. And it is likewise ordered, That the dutie of a bushell of corne, be brought in uppon the 19th day of December to the place appoynted within that plantation, by the mynister. And no planter or parishioner may neglect the bringinge of the tobacco, or corne as aforesayd, uppon the penaltie that yf any make default they shall forfeite double the quantitie of tobacco and corne, to be levyed by distresse, by the authoritie of the comanders. And likewise all arrerages of tobacco	How the ministers duties of 10 lb of Tobc. and a bushel of corn collected. Penalty.

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and corne which have been due to the mynisters as duties shall and may be recovered by distresse, by virtue of this act of this Assembly, and yf the church wardens shall fayle in the execution of theire office, hereby enioyned, than the comander shall take order, that what shall remayne unpayd, and owinge to the mynysters shall be levyed by distresse out of the church wardens goods and chattels.	Penalty on church wardens for neglect.
ACT XVII.
IT is ordeyned and enacted, That in all such places where any churches are wantinge or decayed, the inhabitants shall be tyed to contribute towards the buildinge of a church, or repayring any decayed church. The comissioners, togeather with the mynisters, church wardens and cheife of the parish, shall appoynt both the most convenient place for all parts to assemble togeather and also to hire and procure any workemen and order such necessarie businesses as are requisite to be done in such workes. This they are to effect before the feast of the nativitie of our Saviour Christ, or else the sayd comissioners yf they be deficient in theire duties to forfeite £. 50 in money. And it is ordered in like manner, That there be a certain portion of ground appoynted out, impaled or fenced in to be for the buriall of the dead uppon the penaltie of 20 marks.	Churches to be built and repaired.       Burying ground to be inclosed.
ACT XVIII.
ACCCORDINGE to the former orders of the Assembly, the fift of March, 1623, It is now thought fitt and accordinglie ordered, That the mounthlie corts be held and kept in remote parts of this colony, vizt. for the upper parts, Warwicke river, Warrosquyoke, Elizabeth Citty, and Accawmacke. The commission for the upper parts shall be as followeth, vizt. "To all to whome these presents shall come I sir John Harvey, Knt. Governor and Captayne General of Virginia send greetinge in our Lord God everlastinge, Whereas for the greater ease of the inhabitants in divers parts of this colony and for the better execution of the peace and due execution of such lawes and orders as are or shall be established for the government of the people and inhabitants.	Monthly courts established, as by a former law. Form of the commission to the commissioners of monthly courts.

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under the seale of the colony shall signifie the contrary. Given at James Citty, the fourth day of September, 1632, and in the eight yeare of the raigne of our soveraigne Lord Charles, by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, kinge, defender of the fayth, &c. an in the 26th yeare of this plantation."	Conclusion.
It is thought fitt, That the comissioners shall take this oath as followeth vizt. −−− You shall sweare as a comissioner for the upper parts within the precincts of Charles Citty, and Henrico, accordinge to the articles of the comission directed unto you by the governor, you shall doe equall right to the poore and to the rich, after your cunninge, witt and power, and after the lawes and customs of this colony, and as neere as may be after the lawes of the realme of England, and statutes thereof made; you shall not be of counsell in any case or quarrell hanginge before you; you shall hold your corts accordinge to the sayd comission; you shall not lett for guift or other cause, but well and truly shall doe your office of comissioner, so help you God, &c.	Oath of commissioners.
There shall also be drawne Mutatis mutandis for Warwicke river these comissioners, Capt. Sam. Mathewes Esq. Capt. Richard Stephens, Esq. Mr. John Brewer, Capt. Thomas Flynt, Zacharye Cripps, gent. Thomas Seelie, gent. ffor Worrosquyoake these comissioners Mr. Richard Bennet, Capt. Robert Ffelgate, John Upton, gent. Thomas Jourden, gent. Wm. Hutchinson, gent. Ffor Elizabeth Citty, these comissioners, Capt. Wm. Tucker, Esq. Capt. Thos. Purrifie, Esq. Capt. Thos. Willowby, Adam Thorowgood, gent. Wm. English, gent. George Downes, gent. John Arundell, gent. Ffor Accawmacke these comissioners, Capt. Wm. Claybourne, Esq. Capt. Thomas Grayes, Capt. Edmund Scarborough, Charles Harmar, gent. Obedience Robins, gent. John Howe, gent. Roger Saunders, gent.	Commissioners for Warrick river. For Warrosuyoake. For Elizabeth City. For Accomac.
ACT XIX.
IT is established and appoynted, That the 4 great quarter cortes shall be held at James Citty, yearlie as followeth, vizt. The first day of March, the first day of June, the first day of October, and the first day of December.	Great quarter courts, when to be holden.

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Fourthlie, It is ordered, That no person or persons shall tend or cause to be tended any slipps of old stalkes of tobacco, or any of the second cropps uppon the forfeiture of his whole cropp of tobacco, whereof one halfe to be to the informer that shall sue for the same in any cort within this colony.	No slips of old stalks or seconds to be tended. Penalty.
ACT XXI.
IT is likewise ordeyned, That yf any marchant or any other person whatsoever shall hereafter make complaynt to the comander of the place, that any tobacco tendered unto him or them is not good and marchantable, then the sayd comander is hereby required, uppon penaltie of beinge disabled from bearinge any office in this colony for one whole yeare, and further censure of the Governor and Counsell, to make choyce of two sufficient men, whom he shall by word of mouth or warrant under his hand reqiure to viewe the sayd tobacco, and uppon oath to deliver unto him the goodnes and badnes thereof, and to cause the same to be burnt yf it bee not found marchantable. But yf any person or persons shall refuse to viewe the sayd Tobacco, and accordinglie to declare the quallitie thereof uppon oath, then it is ordered that the sayd comander shall binde over the sayd person or persons to answer the contempt at the next quarter cort before the Governor and Counsell.	Tobacco tendered in payment, how to be viewed. If not merchantable, to be burnt. Penalty on persons refusing to view.
ACT XXII.
IT is likewise ordered, That every man workinge in the ground shall plant or cause to be planted and sufficientlie tended yearely at the least 2 acres of corne per pol, uppon penaltie of the forfeiture of his whole cropp of tobacco, yf uppon viewe thereof they shall be found deficient, unlesse they shall have a lawfull cause to the contrary.	Tow acres of corn per head to be planted and tended. Penalty.
ACT XXIII.
FOR the prevention of forestallinge the marketts and ingrossinge commodities, It is ordeyned and assented by the Governor and Counsell togeather with the	To prevent forestalling, & engrossing.

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persons dwellinge or inhabitinge within this colony uppon theire arrivall out of the sea, to goe and sayle unto any place or places to which they do belonge, or at which they shall desire to unlade theire goods, and the marchant or factor shall deliver unto the commander of that place, an invoice of the goods they have brought in.
ACT XXIV.
EVERY vessel or shipp cominge out of the ocean            customs untill further orders be taken therein shall pay after the rate of one barrell of gunpowder containinge 100 lbs. and ten iron shott for ordinance, for every hundred tunns of burthen, to be for the use of the fort at Poynt Comfort, and soe to be accounted propotionably bee the shipp or barque bigger or lesser.	Tonnage duty.
ACT XXV.
IT is provided and ordered, That all workers upon corne and tobacco shall this ensuing springe before the first day of March next ensuinge, plant, or cause to be planted 20 vyne plants per pol uppon penaltie to forfeite one barrell of corne for every one that shall make default one halfe to be to him which shall make information thereof and the other halfe to publique uses. And the commissioners for the mounthlie cort shall have full power to heare and determine this matter and to see that the sayd vynes bee weeded, tended, and well preserved.	Vines, 20 a head to be planted. penalty. To be assessed by monthly courts.
ACT XXVI.
IT is ordered, That no person or persons shall dare to speake or parlie with the Indians either in the woods or in any plantation yf it can possibly be avoyded by any meanes. But yf any Indian shall voluntarilie presse uppon any in the woods, or into any plantation, as soon as can be, they shall bringe them to the commander, or give the commander notice thereof, uppon penaltie of a mounthes service for any freeman offendinge, and twenty stripes for any servant. but for the planters of the Easterne Shoare, the commanders	No person to speak or parley with the Indians. Exception as to the Eastern Shore.

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are required to observe all good termes of amitie, and that they cause the planters neverthelesse to stand uppon theire guard, and not to suffer the Indians especially the Mattowombes to make any ordinary resort or aboade in their houses, and yf any English without leave resort unto theire townes, the commanders are to binde them over to the next quarter cort.	Penalty on the English resorting to their towns.
ACT XXVII.
AND because wee hold the neighbouringe Indians our irreconcileable enemyes, it is further though fitt, That yf any Indians doe molest or offend any plantations in theire cattle, hoggs, or any thinge else, or that they bee found lurkinge about any plantation, then the commander shall have power by virtue of this act to rayse a sufficient partie and fall out uppon them, and persecute them as he shall finde occasion.	Commanders to fall upon Indians lurking about or molesting cattle, &c.
ACT XXVIII.
BE it also enacted, That every artificer or laborer that shall be lawfully reteyned in and for the buildinge or repayringe of any church, house, shipp, milne, or every other peice of worke taken in greate, or that shall hereafter take uppon him to make or finish any such thinge or worke, shall continue and not depart from the same unlesse it be for not payinge of his wages, or hire agreed on, or otherwise by lawfull authoritie taken from the sayd worke, or lycense to depart by him, that hath the charge thereof before the finishinge of the sayd worke uppon penaltie of one mounthes imprisonment without bayle or mayneprize and the forfeiture of the sum of £ 5 sterlinge to the partie soe greaved, over and besides such ordinarie costs and damages as may or ought to be recovered by the common lawes for any such offence.	Workmen not to withdraw from their work under a penalty.
ACT XXIX.
BE it also enacted accordinge to the lawes of England, That all and every person or persons which shall be drunke, and of the same offence of drunkenes shall	Drunkenness, how punished.

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be lawfully convicted, shall for every such offence forfeite and lose five shillings of lawfull money of England, to be payd to the hands of the church wardens of that parish where the offence shall be committed, And yf the sayd person soe convicted shall neglect or refuse to pay the sayd forfeiture as aforesaid, then the same shall be levyed of the goods of very such person or persons soe neglectinge or refusinge by warrant from the cort before whome the said conviction shall be made.
ACT XXX.
IT is thought fitt, That whosoever shall sweare any oath, shall pay for every oath one shillinge as is ordeyned by the statute.	Swearing, how punished.
ACT XXXI.
WHATSOEVER person or persons shall buy or cause to be bought any marchandize, victualls, or any other thinge, comminge by land or water to the markett to be sold, or make any bargaine, contract or promise for the haveinge or buyinge of the same or any part thereof soe comminge as is aforesaid, before the said marchandize, victualls, or other thinge shall bee at the markett readie to be sold; or make any motion by word, letter or message ro other wise to any person or persons for the enhaunsing of the price, or dearer sellinge of any thinge or thinges above mentioned, or else disswade, move, or stirr any person or persons cominge to the marquett, to abstaine or forbeare to bringe or convey any of the things above rehearsed to any markett as aforesayd shall be deemed and adjudged a forestaller. And yf any person or persons shall offend in the thinges before recited and beinge thereof dulie convicted or attaynted shall for his or theire first offence suffer imprisonment by the space of two mounthes without baile or maineprize, and shall also loose and forfeite the value of the goods soe by him or them bought or had as aforesayd; and for a second offence, after his or theire first conviction, shall suffer imprisonment by the space of one halfe yeare without baile or maineprize, and shall loose the double value of	Forestalling defined. Penalty for 1st offence. For the 2d offence.

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all the goods and marchandize soe bought or had as aforesayd; and for the third offence beinge lawfully twice convicted or attaynted shall be sett on the pillorie in the place where he then dwelleth and loose and forfeite all the goods and chattels that he or they then have to theire own use, and also be committed to prison there to remayne duringe the Governor's pleasure, provided that the complaynt be made within to yeares after the offence done or committed.	For the 3d offence. Limitation of action.
ACT XXXII.
IT is ordered, That a barrell of corne shall be accounted five bushells of Winchester measure, that is to say 40 gallons to the barrell, and that the commissioners for the mounthlie corts throughout this colony doe take order and see that sealed barrells be made and sealed with this seale as in the margent [VG] which seal they are to keepe, and uppon reasonable request to seale such barrells and bushells as shall be brought unto them, beinge of a just size. And it is ordeyned and established that whosoever shall use or cause to be used any unsealed barrells or bushells, after the publication hereof, shall forfeite 13s 4d, and for the second offence 26s 8d, and for the third offence shall be sett in the pillorie, and the measures and barrells defective shall be broken or burnt. And for defective weights, It is ordeyned, That the offender shall be punished accordinge to the statute in that case provided.	Contents of a barrel of corn. Sealed measures. Penalty for using unsealed barrels.
ACT XXXIII.
THE Assembly doth order and graunt, That there be payd out of the general levy unto capt. Michaell Marshartt's attorney, in full for the carriadges for the ordinance, 1375 lb. of tobacco, and likewise in consideration of the good service done by the sayd capt. Marshartt to this colony, and to relieve the necessitie of his wife and children, the Assembly doth give as a gratuitie to be sent unto her, 4500 lb of tobacco to be payd this cropp.	Compensation to capt. Marsharrt, And a donation to his family.

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ACT XXXIV.
IT is ordered, That the Governor and Counsell shall not lay any taxes or impositions uppon this colony, theire lands or commodities otherwise than by the authoritie of the Grand Assembly, to be levyed and imployed as by the Assembly shall be appoynted.	Restriction as to the power of the governor, &c.
ACT XXXV.
THE Assembly alloweth of the publique chardges followinge, vizt:	Appropriation law.
lb. of tobacco. Imprimis to Capt. Michael Marshartt 5875   to Capt. Mathewes for the ffort 103000   to Capt. Pierce 7351   to Capt. Give uppon account 1680   to Doct. Pott uppon account 3400   to Capt. Osborne for lead 0150   for Buffe coats 0800   to Wm. Kempe for shott 0100   to Capt. Mathewes for wachinge, &c. 0500   to Mr. Corker 1000   to Mr. Corker 1000   to Richard Smyth 0500 124356
It is therefore thought fittinge that there shall be levyed uppon every tithable person sixty-fowre pounds of tobacco per pol throughout this colony. And for such persons as have departed out of this country since the contract for the ffort, and for such as are since deceased leavinge sufficient estates it is ordered that they shall be lyable to pay this taxe. And that it be required out of the estates remayninge and the overplus to remayne in Mr. Corker's hands.	Taxes. How collected from decedents' estates.
ACT XXXVI.
THE Governor shall not withdrawe the inhabitants from theire privat laboures to any service of his owne uppon any color whatsoever, and in case the publique service require imployments of many hands before the holdinge of a Grand Assembly to give order for the same, in that case the levying of men shall be	Governor not to withdraw the inhabitants from their private labours, on his own business.

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done by the Governor and the whole bodie of the Counsell, And that in such sort as to be least burthensome to the people, and most free from partialitie; suddaine incursions of the Indians, and such like cases excepted.
ACT XXXVII.
ALL the old planters that were here before or came in at the last cominge of Sir Thomas Gates shall be exempted from theire personall service to the warrs and any publique chardges (church duties excepted) that belonge particularlie to theire families except such as shall be imployed in cheife.	Privilege of old planters.
ACT XXXVIII.
EVERY private planter's devident shall be surveyed and layd out in severall, and the bounds recorded by the surveyers, if theire be any petty differences betwixt neighbours about theire devidents, to be decyded by the surveyors, yf of mayne importance, to be referred to the Governor and Counsell.	Each man's land to be surveyed, and bounds recorded. Appeal.
ACT XXXIX.
FFOR encouragement of men to plant store of corne, the price shall not be stinted, but it shall be free for every man to sell it as deere as he can, the reason and ground hereof being contrary to the president of other countryes and kingdoms, in regard all men may plant what store of corne they please.	Price of corn not to be limited.
ACT XL.
[Obliterated.*]
ACT XLI.
[Obliterated.*]
* These two acts are obliterated, but it appears from the marginal abstract which is preserved, that act XL prohibited any trade with the Indians for corn, and act XLI directed that planters should go in sufficient parties to guard against the attacks of the Indians.

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ACT XLII.
NOE man shall goe to worke in the grounds without theire armes, and a centinell uppon them                   places where the commander shall require it.	Arms.
ACT XLIII.
THERE shall be due watch kept by night where need requires.	Watch.
ACT XLIV.
NOE commander of any plantation, shall either himselfe or suffer others to spend powder unnecessarilie, that is to say, in drinkinge or enterteynments.	Not to spend powder.
ACT XLV.
ALL men that are fittinge to beare armes, shall bringe their peices to the church uppon payne for every effence, if the default be in the master, to pay 2lb. of tobacco, to be disposed by the church-wardens, who shall levy it by distresse, and the servants shall be punished             commander.	To go armed to church.
ACT XLVI.
NOE person within this colony uppon the rumour of supposed change or alteration shall presume to be disobedient to the present government, nor servants to theire private officers, masters and overseers, at their uttermost perill.	Obedience to superiors.
ACT XLVII.
THE adioyninge plantations, shall assist the frontiers or their neighbours, uppon alarums, the default to be severelie censured, and false alarums punished.	Adjoining plantations to assist the frontiers in case of alarm.
ACT XLVIII.
IT is ordered, That no cow hides, oxe hides, bull hides, goats skins, deare skins, or other hides, or skins	Exportation of certain

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whatsoever, shall be sent or carryed out of this colony uppon forfeiture of thrice the value thereof, the one halfe to the informer, and the other halfe to publique uses. Beaver skins, otter skins and al sorts of furrs excepted.	hides and skins prohibited. Beaver & otter skins excepted.
ACT XLIX.
NOE man shall kill any wild swyne out of the forrest or woods, except in his             or devident, without leave or lycense from the Governor. But it is thought convenient that any man be permitted to kill deare or other wild beasts or fowle in the common woods, forrests, or rivers in regard that thereby the inhabitants may be trained in the use of theire armes, the Indians kept from our plantations, and the wolves and other vermine destroyed. And for encouragement to destroy the wolves, it is thought that whosoever shall kill a wolfe, and bringe in his head to the commander, it shall be lawfull for such person or persons for every wolfe soe kild, to kill also one wild hogg and take the same for his owne use.	Wild hogs not to be killed unless within a man's own land. Deer & wild beasts may. Reward for killing wolves.
ACT L.
HIGHWAYES shall be layd out in such convenient places as are requisite accordinge as the Governor and Counsell or the commissioners for the mounthlie corts shall appoynt, or accordinge as the parishioners of ever parish shall agree.	Roads or high ways to be laid out.
ACT LI.
ALL such as will seate downe and inhabit betweene the heads of Archer's Hope Creeke, and Queenes creeke shall be free of all generall taxes untill some other             shall be             without them, and they shall have fifty acres of land for every person that             yeare seate there, as the planters of Kiskyake have had.	Settlement rights in a certain district.
ACT LII.
EVERY man shall enclose his ground with sufficient fences or else to plant, uppon theire own perill.	Grounds to be inclosed.

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ACT LIII.
IT is ordered and appoynted, That the comanders of all the severall plantain, doe upon holy dayes exercise the men under theire command, and that the commanders yearlie doe likewise uppon the first day of December, take an exact muster of theire men, togeather with the women and children, theire ages, countryes, and townes, where they were borne, with the names of the shipps they came in, and the yare of the Lord, as also of armes and munition, corne, cattle, hoggs, goates, shipps, barques, boates, gardens, orchards, and yf they shall make default, to be censured by the Governor and counsell.	Commanders to exercise their men on holidays; and take a census of the inhabitants yearly, with their arms and other property.
ACT LIV.
IT is thought fitt, That no boates be permitted to goe and trade to Canida or elsewhere that be not of the burthen of ten tunns, and have a flush decke, or fitted with a gratinge and a tarpaulinge exceptinge such as be permitted for discovery by a speciall lycense from the Governor.	Boats not to be employed in the Canada trade unless of a particular construction
ACT LV.
NOE master or commander of any vessell, boates, barques, or shipps, shall transport any person or persons out of this colony except the sayd person or persons doe give notice hereof in the place where he or they are then resident ten dayes before his departure uppon the penaltie to pay all such debts as all such persons shall stand indebted unto any person within this colony at the tyme of his or theire departure.	Masters of vessels transporting persons out of the colony, without notice, liable for their debts.
ACT LVI.
IT is ordered, That no person or persons shall depart out of this colony to inhabite or abide within any other plantations, of New-England or elsewhere, unlesse he obteyne a lycense or passe for his departure under the Governor's hand.	No person to remove to New England without license from the governor.

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ACT LVII.
[Obliterated.]	Secretary's fees.
ffor a freedome       ffor a commission of adminst.      20       ffor a patent 30       ffor a recording per sheete 2       ffor an order of cort, 5
And yf the secretarie shall desire it he may require for ever 5 lb. of tobacco here mentioned, one bushel of corne.
ACT LVIII.
THE Marshalls ffees shall be as followeth, vizt.	Marshal's fees.
ffor an arrest 10 lb. Tobacco.       warninge to the cort  2 Imprisonment { comeinge in            { goinge out 10 10       Laying by the heeles  5       Whippinge       Pillory       Duckinge } } } 10
And for lodginge and diett as they can agree.
And for every 5 lb. of tobacco the marshall may require one bushel of corne.
ACT LIX.
IT is thought fitt and accordinglie ordered, That there be a publication made that all estates of any deceased persons, be appraised after the rate of money and not in tobacco as hath beene accustomed heretofore, and where the deceased partie shall die in debt, It is thought fitt, That the estate shall be sould by outcry, and notice of the sayd outcry to be given 8 days before.	Estates of deceased persons to be appraised in money, and sold at public auction.

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ACT LX.
IT is ordered, That the 22d day of March be yearelie kept Holyday in comemoration of our deliverance from the Indians at that bloudie massacre which happened uppon the 22d of March 1621.	The 22 of March to be annually observed as a holliday.
ACT LXI.
LASTLY, It is ordered, That these acts shall be published throughout this colony. And that the comissioners, for the mounthlie corts doe at the beginninge of their corts read or cause to be read all these acts and that true coppyes thereof be kept in the corts to be afforded to be read by all that shall desire the same.	How these acts to be published.
A GRAND ASSEMBLY HOLDEN AT JAMES CITTY THE FIRST DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1632-3	The MS. from which the acts of this session were printed, is now in the library of Congress at Washington.
BEINGE present Sir John Harvey, Knight Governor, &c.       Capt. ffrancis West,       Capt. Sam. Mathewes,       Capt. Wm. Clayborne,       Capt. Wm. Tucker,       Mr. Wm. ffarrar,       Mr. Henry ffinch,       Capt. John Utye,       Capt. Thomas Purifie,       Capt. Richard Bullocke,       Capt. Wm. Peirce,       Capt. Wm. Perry,       Mr. John Brewer.
The names of the Burgisses were as followeth, vizt:
ffor Arrowhattocke, Henrico       necke of Land & Curles } } Capt. Thomas Osborne   ffor Shirley Hundred Mayne       & Cawses Care. } } Mr. Walter Aston.
ffor Shirley Hundred Iland −−− Mr. Rice Hooe.
ffor Westover & fflowerdue Hund. −−− Capt. Thos. Paulett.
ffor Wyanoake −−− Wm. Emerson, gent.

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ffor James Citty, Checohominey       and Pasbeyheighes } } John Corker, gent.   ffor Necke of Land −−− Thomas Crumpe, gent.   ffor Archers Hope & Gleabe                   Land } } Henry Ceney, gent.   ffor Smyths mount the       other side of the water and       Hogg Iland } } Thomas Grindon, gent.
ffor Harropp and to       Martins Hund. { Richard Brewster, { John Warham. } } gents.   ffor Martins Hundred { David Mainsfield { Rob't Scotchmore, } } gents.   ffor Mulbury Iland { Thomas Harwood, { Wm. Spencer, } } gents.   ffor Stanley Hundred { Zachary Cripps, { Roger Dilke, { { gents.   ffor Denbigh { Capt. Thomas fflynt, { Thomas Hawkins, } } gents.   ffor Warrosquyoake { John Upton, { Robert Savin, } } gents.   ffor Nutmegg Quarter −−− ffrancis Hough, gent.   ffor the upper parts of       Elizabeth Citty { Thomas Sheppard, { John Sipsey, } } gents.   ffor Accaw-       macke { Capt. Edmund Scarborough, { John Howe, { Rogers Saunders, { John Wilkinson, } } } } gents.
ffor Kiskyake −−− Capt. Nichs. Martian.
ffor Yorke −−− Lyonell Goulston, gent.
ACT I.*
WHEREAS divers acts and orders were made and established in the Grand Assembly holden at James Citty	Preamble
* The acts of this session are not numbered in the MS. either in the margin or elsewhere.

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pursers of shippinge shall deliver uppon oath the true contents of all such goods as are imported in theire shipps; and that they have discharged none. And yf they shall finde any more than is conteyned in the invoyce which they shall deliver, the shall give knowledge thereof before they land the same. And further to the purpose searchers shall be appoynted to search the shipps and secret places of the sayd shipps, and to seize all concealed goods.	Searchers to be appointed.
ACT II.
An act concerninge Mynisters' allowance.
THE whole bodie of the Assembly takinge into theire consideration the allowance of the twentyeth calves, kidds, and piggs graunted unto the Mynisters in the 14th act in the Assembly holden on the 4th day of September last past, and made to endure for the terme of one whole yeare, then next ensuinge, for the terme of one whole yeare, then next ensuinge, for the better encouragement of the mynisters in theire callinge, have thought fitt to continew, the sayd 14th act in all parts and respects, untill the sessions of the next Assembly.	Imposition of tithes further continued.
An act for the payment of the Mynisters' Tobacco and Corne.
CONCERNINGE the payment of the dutie of 10 lb. tobacco to the mynisters appoynted by the 16th act of the Assembly holden the 4th day of September last past, It is thought fitt, That they sayd act be repealed so farr forth as concerneth the bringinge in of the sayd 10 lb. of tobacco unto appoynted places for that purpose; and in all other poynts to continue and remayne in full force and strength. And it is further ordered by the Assembly, That the sayd dutie of ten pounds of tobacco be payd to such whome the mynister shall appoynt at the severall stores aforesaid, before any other tobacco of any man's cropp be disposed of.	So much of a former act as directed that the ministers' allowance of tobacco shall be carried to them, repealed. Such tobacco to be delivered at the warehouses.

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ACT IV.
An act that the Mynisters appoynd Deacons in remoate places to reade common prayer.
IN such places where the extent of the cure of any mynister is so large that he cannot be present himselfe on the Saboth dayes and other holydays, It is thought fitt, That they appoynt and allow mayntenance for deacons where any havinge taken orders can be found for the readinge common prayer in their absence.	Ministers to appoint deacons.
ACT V.
An act for Tradesmen to worke on their trades.
THE necessitie of the present state of the country requiringe, It is thought fitt, That all gunsmiths and naylers, brickmakers, carpenters, joyners, sawyers, and turners, be compelled to worke at theire trades and not suffered to plant tobacco or corne or doe any other worke in the ground −−− And the commissioners in the several parts of this colony, shall take care to see this act performed. And further to see that they have good payment made unto them for theire worke out of the stores as soone as the tobacco is brought thither.	Mechanics to follow their trades an not to plant tobacco or corn.
ACT VI.
An act for the Seatinge of the middle Plantation.
IT is ordered, That every fortyeth man chosen and maynteyned out of the tithable persons of all inhabitants, within the compasse of the forrest conteyned between Queenes creek in Charles river, and Archers Hope creeke in James river, with all the lands included, to the bay of Chesepiake, and it is appoynted that the sayd men be there at the plantation of Doct. John Pott, newlie built before the first day of March next and that the men be imployed in buildinge of houses, and securinge that the tract of land lying betweene the sayd creekes. And to do such other workes as soone as may bee as may defray the chardges of that worke, and to be directed therein as they shall be ordered by the Governor and Counsell. And yf any free man shall this yeare before the first day of May, voluntarilie goe and seate uppon the sayd place of the	Encouragement for seating the middle plantation

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middle plantation, they shall have fifty acres of land Inheritance, and be free from all taxes and publique chardges accordinge to a former act of Assembly made the forth day of September last past.
Extract from the Minutes of the Judicial Proceedings of the Governor and Council in Virginia
"24th, June, 1633. −−− A woman, Margaret Hatch, indicted for murdering her child. Petit jury find her guilty of manslaughter. Sentenced to be hanged; pleads pregnancy; and jury of Matrons find her not pregnant." −−− Ancient Records, vol. 3, pa. 224.

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