Part II
Chap. I Of the English Settlements in Virginia
The first Discovery made for the English in North-America, was in the Year 1584, (a hundred and forty Years ago) by Captain Philip Amidas, and Captain Arthur Barlow, by the Protection and Encouragement of Queen Elizabeth; with the Persuasion and Direction of Sir Walter Raleigh.
They anchored at Roenoak Inlet, now belonging to the Government of North Carolina, and from the Virgin Queen, and the apparent Purity of the Indians, and primitive Plenty of the Place, that new discover’d Part of the World was named Virginia.
After that, Sir Richard Greenvile, Sir Francis Drake, and Sir Walter Raleigh carried on the Project, and made Advancements in it, with the Leave of the Government; which were promoted and continued by the Merchants of London, Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth; with Variety of Accidents, Successes and Disappointments in Respect of their Trade and Possessions, and War and Peace with the Indians; especially under the Conduct of Captain Smith, who was employed by the Company of Merchants incorporated by King James I. in 1606; and has written a large History of his particular Transactions.
They then fixed chiefly at, and near James Town, on a small Island in James River, till the Year 1609, when they sent out Settlements to Nansemond, Powhatan, and the Year after to Kiquotan.
After that the Plantations of Virginia were formed into a Government, managed first by three, and afterwards by one Governor, to whose Assistance in a small Time they added Counsellors; and in 1620, they called an Assembly of Burgesses, who being elected by the People, met the Governor and Council at James Town, and debated Matters for the Improvement and good Government of the Country.
About this Time the Dutch brought over some Negroes for Sale, who are now wonderfully encreased; besides the constant Supplies of them imported yearly.
At this Time, they made new Settlements, laid out and apportioned Lands, some to the Governor, some for a College and Indian School, some to the Church and Glebes, and some to particular Persons; and carried on Salt Works and Iron Works, besides Tobacco.
This Prosperity of the Colony so encouraged its Increase, that one thousand three hundred People have gone over in one Year to settle there; upon which they made County Courts for the Tryal of some Causes and Criminals under the General Court and Assembly; but private Interest and Quarrels byassing the Governors and other Persons concerned, often introduced ill Success, Faction, and Indian Wars.
The fatal Consequences of this Male-Administration cry’d so loud, that King Charles I. coming to the Crown of England, had a tender Concern for the poor People, that had been betrayed thither and almost lost: Upon which he dissolved the Company in 1626, reducing the Country and Government into his own immediate Direction, appointing the Governor and Council himself, and ordering all Patents and Processes to issue in his own Name, reserving to himself a Quit-Rent of two Shillings for every hundred Acres of Land.
In this happy Constitution, the Colony of Virginia has prosperously encreased gradually and wonderfully, to its present most flourishing Condition.
Indeed Bacon’s Rebellion against the Governor occasioned a great deal of Bloodshed and Disturbance; but that after his Death soon ceased.
The assured good Report of this vast Tract of Land and happy Climate encouraged several Gentlemen of Condition and good Descent, to transport themselves and Families, and settle in this new Paradise; some for the Sake of Wealth, some for Religion, and others because they could not well live elsewhere; and others because they dared not, or cared not to stay at Home.
But one particular Occasion that sent several Families of good Birth and Fortune to settle there, was the Civil Wars in England; for Sir William Barkley the Governor being strong for the King, held out the last of all the King’s Dominions against the Usurper; and likewise proclaimed King Charles II. before the Restoration.
This safe Receptacle enticed over several Cavalier Families, where they made many Laws against Puritans, tho’ they were free from them; which had this good Success, that to this Day, the People are as it were quite free from them, being all of the Church of England, without the odious distinguishing Characters of High or Low among themselves. Indeed, there are a few Quakers in some of the worst Counties, where Clergymen are unwilling to settle, such as the lower Parts of Nansemond County; but these might easily be brought over to the Church; and I am fully persuaded that the Growth of their Doctrine might be easily nipped in the Bud, by very plain Methods.
Among other Persons of Distinction that went over to settle in Virginia, was the noble Cæcilius Calvert Lord Baltimore, a Roman Catholick, who with his Family, Friends and Attendants, was willing to retire thither for the free Exercise of his Religion.
He obtained a Patent for all that vast Part of Virginia, which lies to the Northward of the great River Potowmack; which was confirmed to his Son and his Heirs in the Year 1633.
This Province was named Maryland from the Royal Consort of King Charles I. and remains still the Propriety of the present Lord Baltimore and his Heirs, with the Restriction of their being Protestants; and is perhaps the largest Estate in the World belonging to any one Person, that is not a Prince.
Though the Church of England be establish’d in Maryland; yet it is a Sanctuary for Papists, who are pretty numerous there, and enjoy the Freedom of their Priests and Mass in a great Measure, without Molestation.