1641
Aug. 9.
Westminister. |
193. The King's Commission to Sir William Berkeley and others
to be the Governor and Council of Virginia. Whereas by Letters
Patent dated 11th January 1639 his Majesty appointed Sir Francis
Wyatt and others to be the Governor and Council of Virginia,
which Commission his Majesty absolutely revokes by these
presents; nevertheless, minding that said colony should be regulated as well in ecclesiastical as temporal government, according
to the laws of England, his Majesty therefore, for the better
ordering of the affairs of said Colony, until he shall find means to
give more ample directions for the same, by these presents
nominates Sir William Berkeley to be the present Governor, and
Sir Francis Wyatt, John West, Richard Kemp, Samuel Matthews,
Nathaniel Littleton, Christopher Wormeley, William Peirce, Roger
Windgate, John Hopson, Thomas Paulett, George Menefie, Henry
Browne, William Brocas, Argall Yardley, Thomas Pettus, Thomas
Willoughby. Richard Bennett, and Humfrey Higgeson, to be the
present Council of said Colony, with power to execute the authorities incident to a Governor and Council of Virginia as amply as
any Governor or Council there within the space of 10 years last
past; to grant Commissions for the discovery of the country, and
finding out what trades shall be most for the advantage of said
Colony, and to send out forces for the subduing of the Indians,
and make war or peace with them in all cases, as may stand with
the safety of said Colony and his Majesty's honour, keeping
always sufficient forces for holding the places now enjoyed. And
said Commissioners shall have power on the death or absence of
said Sir William Berkeley to select one of said Council to be present
Governor. Nevertheless, they shall proceed according to such
instructions as they do now or shall hereafter receive from his
Majesty's Privy Council and Lords Commissioners and Committees
for the time being. And upon the death or discontinuance of any
one of said Council, said Governor and Council shall elect some
other discreet person in the room of him, and certify the same to
the Lords Commissioners of Plantations to receive allowance or
disallowance. And said Sir William Berkeley and Richard Kemp,
before they depart out of England, shall take the oaths heretofore
taken before the Lord Keeper or Lord Privy Seal, and shall afterwards administer the same to Sir Francis Wyatt and the other
Councillors aforesaid. And this Commission shall continue in force
until by some other writing under the Signet, Privy Seal, or Great
Seal, his Majesty shall signify his pleasure to the contrary.
2 Membs. [Patent Roll. 17 Car. I., pt. 6. No. 6.] |
