one of the Clerks of the Signet with Mr. Alderman Hammersley presented themselves as Messengers from K. Iames congratulating the hopefull progresse of the Virginia Plantation but withall professing his Majesties great care where so many of his subjects were concerned And therefore the Countrey being so remote and wherein the greatest Merchants might be most knowing through their experience and interest his Majesty recommended six persons whereof he expected one should be that day chosen their Governour which struck a silence into the whole Court for a time but in conclusion declared as beleeved by Will E. of Pembrooke Henry E. of Southampton and others to bee against the Companies just freedome of election granted by Letters Patents and caused by some mis-information given the King whereof they would speak with him In the mean time an order was entred for continuance of that Quarter Court on a day the week after The same Court again assembled and those Lords desired a preparatve meeting of the Councell for Virginia where it was freely recounted how K. Iames remained obstinately excepting against the person of Sir Edwin Sandys declaring him his greatest enemy and that hee could hardly think well of whomsoever was his friend and all this in a furious passion returning no other answer but Choose the Devill if you will but â—â—t Sir Edwin Sandys Hereupon the generality of the Company being in the height of discontent and the Lords and others of the more timorous nature in trouble how to proceed in the presence of a very considerable Assembly in a cause so lately raisâ—d to such expectation which now they could not but account lost by this discouragement Sir Iohn Danvers entreated some private conference with the E. of Southampton a most cordiall stickler for this Plantation and asked whether his Lordship would be pleased to own the place if the Company chose him Treasurer whilst they should not fail by all means to fâ—ce him from the pains and trouble by nominating such a Deputy as would please his Lordship and the whole Company in prosecuting still those wayes which might give satisfaction and encouragement to the undertakers That most Noble Lords answer was I know the King will be angry at it but so the expectation of this pious and glorious work may be encouraged let them doe with me what they please And accordingly the councel Company in a fair way chose the Earle Treasurer and Sir E. Sandys Deputy which such other co-incident officers for â—ropagating the work intended as was generally acceptable and applauded by all good men The publick asserting of those rights and immunities granted under the great Seal of England much raised the spirits and increased the numberâ— of those that made preparation for this Plantation for wiâ—hin the following yeer there weâ—e above fifty Patents granted under the Seal of the Câ—mpany to severall personâ— who were to have land set out and alotted unto them propoâ—tionable tâ— the numbeâ—s of people they engaged to transplant from England the least number so câ—ntracted foâ— in any one Patent waâ— a huâ—dâ—ed some 5 hundredâ— some a thousandâ— and divers in greater proportions and thesâ— patâ—ntees were not the meanest in honor vertue and godlinesâ— And now was likewise so great a complyance in this pioâ—â— work anâ— moneys came in so plentifully from the Lottery â—â—d by payment of Arrears upon foâ—mer subscâ—iptionâ— as seemed almost to promise as well as to invite a great part of the Nation to withdraw themselves from an oppressing unto a more free government establishing in Virginia whither great store of shipping was engaged and even in readinesse when in the conclusion of a broken Parliament by K. Iames both the E. of Southampton and Sir Edwin Sandys were committed close Prisoners upon private assumed suggestions which struck some terrour into most undertakers for Virginia Nor did the shipping and Passengers know which way to derive those Orders Warrants and Allowances which were many ways necessary and pertinent for setting forward of their voyages The complaints and apprehensions thereupon coming to the place where the Courts and Registries were kept the house of Mr. Farrars Merchant in St. Syths-laneâ— London much bewailing and consultation was there had Where after consideration of the power granted to the Company the two Farrars Brothers by their discretion and affection assisting much herein it was resolved That the Company might and should procâ—ed as if their Governour and Deputy were hindred by sicknesse or other diverâ—ion and finding the whole proceeding like to be more advantaged if Sir Iohn Danvers would shew himselfe to keep and governe the Courts a number wâ—nt with Mr. Nicholas Farrar home to his house imploring his assistance which though knowing as my Lord of Southampton said the King would not be pleased therewith he readily undertook to the great satisfaction of many the Adventurers and Planters In which time of his transaction which was about a moneth or three weeks there were fraighted and went out from London 25 sail of considerable shipping and numbers of Passengers for Virginia besides others about the same time from the Western ports The E. of Southampton and Sir Ed. Sandys were by this time released and nothing appearing against them rejoiced the more to â—ind the dispatch of the shipping c. so well over And though by a contrived sudden complaint in Parliament against the Lotteries for Virginia as pernicious to the countries where they were introduced with seconding informations suggested the Lotteries were voted down and the greatâ—st stream for supplies of money now stopt yet consultation and endeavours gave new hope of benefit other ways which more then probably might still advance the Plantation wherein many parties had their aims and expectation Whilst thâ—se forementioned passages were in hand the Court and Spanish faction failed not to give assistâ—nce and â—ncouragemâ—nt to all those and they were very many that strained by any way or means to divert or interrupt the affaires under the care of this Councell and Company Which drew on their consideraâ—ion for the displacing of Sir Thomas Smiâ—â— and constituting of Sir Edwin Sandys Governour of the Bermudas or Summer-Ilands Company and Plantation whiâ—h was an appendanâ— oâ—Virginia the labour and safety of both being the same and by the members thought fit to be trusted in one way and in hands and counsells best approved Sir Ed. Sandys setling in that government was incountred with much information of neglect or infidelity committed therein by Sir Thomas Smith the Iâ—land wholly wanting ammunition to maintain it against an enemy which the place bâ—ing of that importance seemed much to startle the undertakers the most whereof were the principall Earls Lords and Gentlemâ—n of best thoughtâ— and affection in the Virginia Company who as they were parâ—icularly inâ—eressed by purchase so had they a speciall care of the Castles Fortresses and harbour there capable to preserve and maintain a Fleet of ships fit to succour and protect Virginia
new discoveries were made by the adventures and charge of the sâ—â—d Company as that of the Bermudas which by reason of its naturall strength and convenient scituâ—â—ion gave additionall encouragement and seemed to promise security for warlike shipping and navigation tâ—roughout the English Plantations Frequent consultations were now had of these affairs in the Aâ—â—emblies of that Councell and Company and otherwise amongst those who were most distasted with the proceedings of the Court and stood best affected to Religion and Liberty which occasioned that passionate speech of K. Iames swearing The Virginia Câ—mpany was a seminary for a seditious Parliament which caused a more close and considerate proceeding in those affairs But the meetings authorized by several Parents granted under the great Seal did exclude or divert the Prerogative-destructive intrusion whilst a number of great Lords and some others remained sedulous and united towards the right endâ— declared And by this time it appeared palpably that encouragements were givâ—n on all hands to disturb and interrupt the regular and forward proceedings of the Company and the care and circumspection of the Councell in like manner made burdensome and prejudiciall to many worthy persons in paâ—â—icular When also in a first place the Plantation of New England though at first under the patent and limitation of Virginia was aftâ—r much dispute and prosecution by Sir Fardâ—nand â—â—rges then Governour of Plimmouth and of the Court Party by a new Patent under the specious title of the Westeâ—n Plantation divided from the first undertaking and had grâ—ateâ— complyance with the King and Court-interest the more to divide the strength and weaken the power of the Councell and Company of Virginia residing in and about London Which neverthelesse the wisdome of God hath made in these dayes to appear a bleâ—sing upon that undertaking Other interruptions were from turbulent persons whose weakest pretentions against the Company or eminent persons therein concerned were winged with powerfull recommendation from Court but not so considerable yet as to hinder the sedulity of those worthy persons and Parriots who still consulting the wayes and means for the wished ends and finding Sir Thomas Smith involved with the Court and Spanish party it was as soon suspected that by his super-intendence as President and Governour he had willingly omitted the care and vigilance which should have forwarded and secured the supplies the want whereof had distressed and discouraged the chief undertaking Nor was there any such account appeaâ—ing but that much money received was unaccounted for but managed in such an intricate or delusive way as could not well bee charged on the Treasurer nor directly on any other responsable person At private meetings of the E. of Southampton Sir Edwin Sandys Sir Iohn Danvers c. severall observations and proposalls occasioned this result that nothing would serve to redeem the honour and reputation of the design for Virginia and re-advance the prosperity thereof so much as an entire and reall account published the better to discover former negligences or corruptions and to beget a better care for the future And hereupon at a great and generall Quarter-Court Sir Edwin Sandys Sir Iohn Danvers Mr. I. Wroth Mr. Abbots afterwards Sir Maurice Abbots and Mr. Abdey afterwards Alderman were five Auditors authorized to draw on all manner of accounts for satisfaction of the world as wel as the Company Against any good effect by such Audit much endeavour and backwardnesse appeared in all kind of Accountants but most in Sir Thomas Smith's Creatures or dependents whereby great difficulty or at least dilatorinesse was found which Sir M. Abbots and Alderman Abdey took for occasion to tell the rest that they being Merchants their necessary businesse would not afford them time for a work of such unhopefull an issue by reason of the various intricacies of Accounts and of such uncertain voyages as those for Plantations They desiring and forcing to be excused left the whole care and pains to Sir E. Sandys Sir Iohn Danvers and Mr. Wroth who finding a multiplication of difficulties and interruptions from day to day were forced after two or three moneths time first to suppositate a new and direct method for accounting for the future which in a book of Account exposed weekly at every Court on the Table might the better satisfie whilst a larger time was taken to rake up the more ancient obstruction or concealment In which pursuit Sir E. Sandys Sir I. Danvers and most times Mr. I. Wroth were together five dayes of the week from between nine and ten of the clock in the morning till five or six in the evening for the space of nine moneths not without retryving and possibility of gaining in a very considerable sum to be charged on Sir Th. Smith as was generally beleeved Mean while much industry was used by Bed-chamber-men and other super-intendent great persons to beget a disrelish in K. Iames against the proceedings of the Virginia Company upon the score that he was to uphold Sir Thomas Smith's honour and reputation so prevalent in Companies and amongst the most wealthy Citizens to procure him loans for supplying his most necessary ' occasions which by meanes of Sir Iohn Danvers familiar correspondence with some of the Bed-chamber that did serve P. Henry was prevented by inculcating the consideration of palpable injustice in obstructing the power granted to the Company as others in like manner were carefull whereby the businesse of Virginia forced as it were a passage through opposition both forain and domestick for the Spanish Ambassador whose power was great in the Court Counsells was very sedulous and spared no money to hinder the same The good hope of this Plantation bringing on the ancient Adventurers and their moneys encouraged also the prosecution and attaining the grant of a Lottery over all England which seconded with respective private Letters to the generous and well affected persons in every County caused great sums of money to be brought in and imployed for the Plantation which brought on the casting out Sir Tho. Smith and establishing Sir Ed. Sandys Treasurer and Governour of the Company by whose great care and abilities Virginia's increase and plenty seemed a very hopeful addition to the dominion of England Mean-whiles the care and circumspection of the now Governour drew all sorts of experienced persons of other Nations as Minerall men from Germany Vignerons from France c. to present themselves who were in numbers entertained to assist the industry of the Planters which with many other concurrent circumstances of encouragement appeared in one years time advantagious to the design beyond expectatiod as by Sir E. Sandys account of his Transactions was made manifest unto hundreds of Lords and Gentlemen assembled at their Quarter Court in Easter term the time for the new election of the Treasurer or Governour At which time when the Court prepared to make a new election most intending to choose Sir Edwin Sandys for another year Mr. Robert Kirkham
disaffection to the work and this proved an answer appearingly well received by the King Now had the Company a little leasure from the stormes or inquisition of the Councell Bord whilst neverthelesse particular persons of all ranks and divers under the countenance of those disaffected Lords others were faln from the true sense and justice of the work chiefly intended But it was not long before Sir Lionel Cranfield presently after E. of Middlesex about the time of his approaching to be L. Treasurer seemed seriously to renue his former professed contemplation of affection to the work of this Plantation with many reasons and instances of his well-wishing and â—t last made this specious overture It is a misfoâ—tune saies he not to be avoided that whilst the Plantations in their present infancy have their whole subsistence by the trade of tobacco the Kings necessities casting him upon all and any ways for advancement of his revenue a tender is made of more then 20000. l. per annum for the whole importing and sale thereof and when the Virginia or Summer-Islands Company offer to plead their freedom in the case the Lawyers say it is a poisonous drug which the King might justifie to banish or burn and not to be accounted as a staple or nationall commodity in which case it was in the Kings power to doe his pleasure in any sort concerning the same But to comply for the advantage of the Plantation the Company might and should if they pleased have the sole importation to them and in their mannaging for 20000. l. per ann. And to make his zeale and care appeare for the prosperity of this great and pious work he would put the Company into a way whereby 200000. l. more should bee gained over and above the Rent to recompense their want of supplies by the Lottery or by the freedome of their owne Tobacco from the necessitated height of custome And further declares that their providing for the Kings interest in so fixed a rent would make him every way capable and assistant to all their future endeavoursâ— which by some collaterall means bending a great part of the most diligent adventurers of the Company to comply with this Proposition some conceiving they should find a better glyde in the businesse others to have some advantagious imployment in the mâ—naging of the Tobacco farmeâ— and these considerations by way of result promoted by severall stirring spiritâ— on Middlesex his grounds the contract seemed concluded and the managing paâ—ts designed to special persons When assoon almost it was appâ—rent that nothing of good was intended towards the Company for now many base false suggestions were raised against the E. of Southampt Sir E. Sandys and others not a little aggravating in the minds of many ingenuous persons who had no beleef in such loosening of legal interest by Patent the just ground of the whole undertaking which with many lurking and distributed inventions diverted and broke the contract whilst the subtilty of Cranfield advanced the same fâ—rm with avowed neglect of the Company and persons adhering therâ—unto And when the greatest disturbance on this and other occasions had wrought the members of this Company into eminent distraction a Commiâ—â—ion and Instructions by way of inquisition were issued with power â—o Judg Iâ—nes Sir Henry Spiller c. to examine the proceedings of the Viâ—ginia and Sommer-Iâ—lands Company as especially of the E. of Southampton and Sir E. Sandys which howsoever strictly and strangely carried as when a Noble person asked the Judge how he that was sworn to the laws durst own proceedings in that nature his answer was openly There was one law of the land but another law of the Kings Commissions yet many days and weeks of the inquiâ—â—tion or persecution discovered no unworthinesse against them or any other of their consorts After this the Councell Company Adventurers and Planters for Virginia conceiving their estate and condition grown more hopefull having pâ—st through the fire of such severall rigorous inquisitions and the undertakâ—râ— having farre engaged therein a great rise of confidâ—nce and assurance appeared generally as a renewing incouragement But their sedulity and fervency was suddenly quasâ—t by a Quo Wâ—rranto brought in the Kings Bench against their Pâ—tent And notwithstanding it was more then presumed by some that the most rightfull contest or waging in a legal way would be fruitlesse yet the Company by vote and order thereupon entertained counsell of the best Lawyers they could get and resolved to spend the remaining part of their stock and cash to plead their cause to a due issue when also some good number of unknown persons sent in mony plate and jewels to animate and assist so just a defence as this Companies right and interest whilst many could not but conceive and fear the example might be most pernicious in other câ—â—es Yet nevertheless before the end of the same term a judgment was declared by the Lord Chief Justice Ley against the Company and their Charter only upon a failer or mistake in pleading Which destroyed the hopes of all that lookt in a just righteous way towards that pious and publick work of Plantations What was after prosecuted by force of the Kings Commissions may appear by others who have thought fit to embrace hope under such constitutions Through the calamity of the forementioned sentence very many honest and worthy persons declining to act under the Kings â—ommissâ—oÌ„-laws suâ—â—cased from their exemplary industâ—y towards Plantations only the Company of Bermudas dependent and derived by particular purchase and for valuable consideration from the Virginia Company with conâ—irmation by speciall Charter under the great Seal persisted in greater hope and confidence by reason their chief undertakers were Eâ—rls Lords and others of qualiâ—y but most of them failing in short time either by complyance or neglect the care of this Plantation fell into the hands of some Members of the Company lesse considerable as to Court-interest and qualification noâ— without discouragement in the generall which was the more dispersed by divers suggestions as that those Islands had been declined or forsaken by the Spaniards because they had found the place to bee only a â—hell or shoale of â—ocks that had contracted a small thicknesse of earth by the falling of leavâ—â— from the trees and hearbs growing up between the rocks which a short time would wear outâ— and quickly discover the folly of those that pretended to plant upon that soil and that if any further thought should be to fortifie thereon or have shipping there in probability to offend or interrupt the Spaâ—iards interest or trading in those parts their power in the Wâ—st-Indies would be sure to ruin all that the English had effected bâ— whatsoever charge of any particular Company unless the King would undertake to back them with his power whereunto hee seemed utterly averse Neverthelesse by the incessant good indeavours of some few worthy Patriots seasonably assisted by Sir Iâ—hâ—
and other American Plantations in expectation to be added therâ—untoâ— from the ampliâ—ude of a lâ—â—eâ— Patâ—nâ— fâ—r comprâ—hending a â—umbâ—r of othâ—r Islands as well as the Bermudas within the limitation of the Virginia Plantation And now it was advertised from the E. of Somerset the then Favourite and Favourâ—r of the Englâ—sh râ—ghts that he understood by confident intelligence that the Spaniards hâ—d a design about a certain time of thaâ— yeer to attâ—mpt the seizing of that â—â—land because it was wholly unprovidâ—d of powder and ammunition apprâ—hended as at this time wiâ—hout viâ—ible possibility of present suppliesâ— But it plâ—asâ—d God through the neâ—lective way of Sir Tho. Smith the goveâ—nmâ—nt of the Island was disposed into the hands of one Mâ—re who upon sight of two Spanish Vessells of good burden approaching towaâ—ds the chiâ—f Castle at the entrance of the Port got powder and shot for the charging only of two peeces of Artillery which levelled and discharged neer at once upon those ships The Commander thinking himself betrayâ—d because he was assured hee should find no manner of ammunition weighs anchor and seâ—s sail away from thenceâ— as the first return of shipping â—rom the â—â—rmudas made clâ—er unto the Company c. This happy escape aggravating the omission or corruption of Sir Tho. Smith seemed to revive and give a new vigour â—o the Partners in this Plantation and there being nothing of more speâ—dy advantage on the place for return to the owners and adventurers then the planting and transporting of Tobacco whilst it might be imported as from Virginia for 5 percentâ— for their custome great store thereof was made and preparing when upon some tender of a large râ—nt for the sole sale of Tobacco an order of the Councell Bord did impose paymâ—nt of the highest custome as to thirty or forty in the hundred upon the Bermudas Tobacco proportionably with all other notwithstanding the â—â—emption within their Paâ—â—nt which with other things much intrâ—nching upon the â—ightâ— and priviledges of the Adventurers gave occasion of a through consultation of the Earls Lords Gentlâ—men and â—â—râ—hantâ— concerned and in conclusion caused an addresse of themsâ—lveâ— personally desiring audience of K. Iames which being attained and prosecutâ—d by the society oâ— the Earlâ—s of Pembrooke Southamptâ—n and othâ—rs the Lord Cavendish being appointed to expresse the nature of complaint and appeale to the King his Lordship had no sooner eâ—â—red into the matter but that his Majâ—sty began to shew much discontent and with much adoe was drawn to any patience which gave much disâ—ouragemâ—nt in the case and prevented the declaring of the most just cause of importunity appointed to my Lord Cavendish when Sir Iohn Danâ—ers fell on his knee and besought the King to hear him as the first time hee ever had the honour to speak unto his Majesty in a serious businesse and having leave he stoutly inculcated that point of justice which could not be denyed at which the King flang away in greater passion insomuch that the Prince who is now King drew Sir I. Danvers aside as in favor to him desiring he would urge the King no furâ—her and undertâ—ok to speak with Sir I. Danvers and accordingly to move the King at some other time which was unperformed though more then once desired by Sir I. Danvers According to which course or vogue of State some Lords and others though Members of the same Company tâ—ok up speciouâ—ly the corrupt interest of those that had been formerly â—onstituted and imployed in places aâ—fairs oâ— trust belonging to these Plantaâ—ions as some of the former Governours sent in time of Sir Thomas Smiths Government either to Virginia or the Bermudas c. who bâ—ing concurrently obnoxious in point of Account were as firmly supported by him and his friends with the Spanniolized â—action of the Councell Bord and the Kingâ— Bed-chamber Which proceedings excited the better and more consâ—ant faithfull party to the more carefull and laborious peâ—severance when the prospering of the undertaking towards so great an addition of Dominion was from time to timâ— interrupted as about this time by Quaeres to the number oâ— two or three and thirty from the Councell Bord by the Kings speciall appointmentâ— pretending great care that such numbers oâ— his subjectâ— gone to the Plantations might bee circumstantially providâ—d â—or in their laws freedomes c. These Quaeres sent on the Saâ—uâ—day were to bee satisâ—ied the Tuesday followingâ— at sitting of the Councell in the afternoon The Loâ—d Caâ—eâ—dâ—shâ— Sir â—dwin Sandysâ— Sir Iâ—hn Danvers and Mr. Niâ—hâ—laâ— Farrar meeâ—ing by appointment of the Company with power to câ—nâ—ider and present what they should â—ind pertinent therein â—ound a hard â—aâ—ke to answer so many particulars in so sâ—â—â—t time Yet â—inding that the truths câ—uchâ—d or exemâ—liâ—â—ed in the â—eiger-books of the Company would sâ—tiâ—â—â—e the Qâ—aeres and objâ—ctiâ—ns thereupon Mr. Farrar desired the buâ—ineâ—â—â—â—nd sâ—â—rch might be divided into 4 partsâ— wherein hee would take that of greatest labour which waâ— concluded bâ— the other thrâ—e and accordingly brought togeâ—her the Tueâ—dâ—y morningâ— and presented to the Counâ—â—ll Bord in the â—fternoon and gave the Lordâ— a most unexpected satisfaction as was confessed When by way of congratulation it was proposed that now there was so great numbers and Trade like to follow in that Plantation some care might be taken for their safety by special fortifications an account thereof made to the King Whereupon it was ordered at the Bord that William Earl of Pembrooke Southampton and other Lords of the Councell and Company for Virginia should make enquiry and acquaint his Majesty of what was and would be done in that point for preservation of the lives of his subjects against enemies either Natives of Virginia or others since hee had vowed that if he had not satisfaction therein he would think himself bound to take the whole government and the appointing of Governours into his own hands Which occasioned the calling together of a Councell for Virginia of all that were neer who as they cleerly saw the desperate malignity of the Secret-Court-Spanish party so often appearing in persecution of this Plantation so had they a great apprehension the King could not be easily satisfied since the Companies treasure was exhausted and there was little hopes of more contribution or Adventurers whilst they lay under such discouragement Sir Iohn Danvers remembring some notion of hope and looking over the books of Letters from Virginia hee observed that throughout the year past there was never lesse then 17 saile of shipping in Iames River the heart of the Plantation inferring that if the Kings fairer complyance should keep the Company in the same encouragement the strength of so many floting Forts in that flat scituation would be equivalent to if not exceeding any possible speedy fortification which the E. of Pembrooke c. conceived fully sufficient to satisfie the King if he had not an inveterate