It was also ordered by the Assembly the same daye that in case Captaine Martin and the ging of his shallop would[52] not throughly answere an accusation of an outrage comitted against a certaine Canoa of Indians in the baye, that then it was thought reason (his Patent,[53] notwthstanding the authority whereof, he had in that case abused) he shoulde[54] from henceforth take leave of the Governour[55] as other men, and should putt[56] in security, that his people shall comitte no such[57] outrage any more.
Upon this a letter or warrant was drawen in the name of the whole assembly to sumon Captaine Martin to appeare before them in forme following:
By the Governor[58] and general assembly of Virginia.
Captaine Martine, we are to request[59] you upon sight hereof, with all convenient speed to repaire hither to James citty to treatt and conferre wth us about some matters of especial[60] importance, wch concerns[61] both us and the whole Colony and yourself. And of this we praye you not to faile.
James citty, July 30, 1619.
To our very loving friend, Captain John Martin, Esquire, Master of the ordinance.
These obstacles removed, the Speaker, who a long time had bene extreame sickly, and therefore not able to passe through long harangues, delivered in briefe to the whole assembly the occasions of their meeting. Which[62] done, he read unto them the comission for establishing the Counsell of Estate and the general[63] Assembly, wherein their duties were described to the life.
Having thus prepared them, he read over unto them the greate Charter, or comission of priviledges, orders and lawes, sent by Sir George Yeardley out of Englande.[64] Which[65] for the more ease of the Committies, having divided into fower books, he read the former two the same forenoon for expeditious[66] sake, a second time over, and so they were referred to the perusall of twoe Comitties, wch did reciprocally consider of either, and accordingly brought in their opinions. But some man may here objecte to what ende we should presume to referre that to the examination of Comitties wch the Counsell and Company in England[67] had already resolved to be perfect, and did expecte nothing[68] but our assente thereunto?[69] To this we answere, that we did it not to the ende to correcte or controll anything therein contained, but onely in case we should finde ought not perfectly squaring wth the state of this Colony or any lawe wch did presse or binde too harde, that we might by waye of humble petition, seeke to have it redressed, especially because this great Charter is to binde us and our heyers for ever.
The names of the Comitties for perusing
the first booke of the fower:
| 1. Captain William Powell, | 2. Ensigne Rosingham, |
| 3. Captaine Warde, | 4. Captaine Tucker, |
| 5. Mr. Shelley, | 6. Thomas Douse, |
| 7. Samuel Jordan, | 8. Mr. Boys. |