Abstract of a Memorial for Settling a Swiss Colony in Virginia
"We humbly pray that Her Majesty would be Graciously pleased to Grant Us Lands for the Settlement of a Colony of Switzers upon the South West Branch of the Pottomack River in Virginia, We paying to her Majesty a Quit Rent in acknowledgment of Her Majesty's Soveraignty as is done in other like Cases. We ingage Our Selves, to Cultivate the said Lands in such manner that Her Majesty will receive a considerable advantage thereby; Besides that by this Settlement We shal be as a Frontier between Virginia and the French of Canada & Missisippi.""This Settlement so far from being injurious to Her Majesty's Neighbouring Colonies or proprieties will rather be an advantage to them by having these Desarts Cultivated & Inhabited which at present they are not."
"In relation to Ecclesiastical, Civil & Military Affairs, We shall Conform Our Selves to the methods used by the rest of the Her Majesty's Subjects, and We hope to enjoy the same priviledges as the rest of Her Majesty's said Subjects do."
"However as we have a language peculiar to Our Selves, We humbly pray Her Majesty will be Graciously pleased to allow Us to have a Minister from Our own Country."
"The people that We shall from time to time Transport thither, shal not by any way Chargeable to Her Majesty unless Her Majesty be hereafter Graciously pleased in Consideration of the Progress We shal make in the said Settlement, to make some allowance."
"As the [discovery of this Country has been and the]* Settling of a Colony there will of great Charge to the Petitioners Tis humbly hoped her Majesty will Grant them the same advantage as is allowed to her Majesty's other Subjects by the Constitution of Virginia."
(* these words were crossed out in the original.)
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This memorial, unsigned but accompanying the note sign by Graffenried and Michel requesting previous memorials be laid aside in favor of this new one, contained far fewer special requests than the previous memorials. At the same time, it offered positive thoughts of being a frontier buffer to the French, of filling a gap in the development of Virginia, of being a help to the other colonies. The response from the English government was positive but they asked for more information. The record book of the English board indicates the memorial was received 13 July 1709. After a short break in these notes, the followup memorial of Graffenried and Michel will be given.
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