[67] Laws in Force in 1769, p. 2.
[68] Hening’s Statutes, ii. 425.
[69] Sherwood to Sir Joseph Williamson, June 28, 1676, Virginia Magazine, i. 171. Sherwood was a gentleman, probably educated as a lawyer, who had been convicted of robbery in England and pardoned through the intercession of Sir Joseph Williamson, secretary of state. (As to gentlemen robbers, compare the reference to Sir John Popham, above, vol. i. p. 81 of the present work.) Sherwood became attorney-general of Virginia in 1677, and was for thirty years an esteemed member of society.
[70] Ludwell to Sir Joseph Williamson, June 28, 1676, Virginia Magazine, i. 179.
[71] In other words, they entertained communistic ideas. I have italicised the statement, to mark its importance.
[72] The same letter, Virginia Magazine, i. 183.
[73] T. M.’s Narrative, Virginia Historical Register, iii. 126. It will be remembered that Masaniello’s insurrection occurred in 1647, and was thus fresh in men’s memories. Masaniello was twenty-four years of age, and was murdered in his hour of apparent triumph.
[74] “A True Narrative, etc.” Virginia Magazine, iv. 125.
[75] Virginia Magazine, i. 433.
[76] See Miss Rowland’s admirable Life of George Mason, 1725-1792, New York, 1892, i. 17.