On September 8, 1721, the Lord Commissioners for Trade and Plantations in London sent a Representation to the King upon the State of His Majesties Colonies & Plantations on the Continent of North America. General comments from this, plus the parts pertaining specifically to Virginia are the subject here.
To quote the opening of the Representation,
"In obedience to your Majesty's commands, we have prepared the following state of your Majesty's Plantations on the Continent of North America, wherein we have distinguished their respective situations, Governments, strengths and Trade, and have observed of what importance their commerce is to Great Britain, whereunto having added an account of the french settlements, and of the encroachments they have made in your Majesty's colonies in those parts; we have humbly proposed such methods, as may best prevent the increase of an evil, which, if not timely prevented, may prove destructive to your Majesty's interest; and have likewise offered such considerations, as, in our opinion, may contribute to the improving and enlarging your Majesty's dominions in America."Your Majesty's plantations on the Continent of America, beginning from the North, are Nova Scotia, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Maryland Virginia, & Carolina.
"And although Newfoundland, and Hudson's Bay are both of them parts of your Majesty's Territories in North America, yet neither of them being a Colony under civil Government, or lying contiguous to your Majesty's other Plantations on the continent, we have made no mention of them in this representation.
"Virginia The Government of this Colony was at first under the direction of a Company, but they being dissolved upon their mal-adminstration, in the year 1626, His Majesty King Charles the First took the Government into his own hands, & settled such laws & constitutions in that province, as were agreeable to those of this Kingdom.
"Accordingly the nomination & appointment of the Governors, as well as the Council (which consists of twelve persons) is in your Majesty, & the General Assembly (consisting of fifty two Burgesses) has been always chosen by the freeholders.
"The strength & security of this Colony, in a great measure, depend upon their Militia, their plantations being usually at too great a distance from one another to be covered by forts or towns."
This particular material is being quoted from J. R. Brodhead, "
Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York
", edited by E. B. O'Callaghan, vol. V, p.591, Albany, 1855.
(11 Dec 00)
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