BY HIS majesties counsel for Virginia.  
A BRIEF DECLARATION OF the present state of things in Virginia, and of a Division to be now made, of some part of those Lands in our actual possession, as well to all such as have adventured their moneys, as also to those that are Planters there.  
WHen first it pleased GOD to move his majesties mind, at the humble suit of sundry his loving Subjects, to yield unto them his gracious Privilege for the Virginia Plantation, it was a thing seeming strange and doubtful in the eye of the World, that such and so few Undertakers should enterprise a charge of that weight, as rather beseemed a whole State and Commonwealth to take in hand. But such was the success of their sundry attempts, in the happy discovery of so goodly a Land, the Description of which, for the excellency of the Climate and fertility thereof, had soon obtained to lay such an assured ground of future hope, in the sense and understanding of all men rightly weighing it, that not long after, the●r new Letters Patents, with more ample privileges granted by his Majesty, were almost filled with many hundred Names, both Honourable, and others of all sorts, that gave their hands and consent to further and uphold that honourable action.  
Upon which encouragement of so many worthy Patrons, the Company very deeply engaged themselves, in sending Men and Ships, Cattle, and all kind of provisions, with Governors and Captains for peace and war, insomuch as no earthly means seemed then wanting for the speedy reducing of that barbarous Nation, and savage people, to a quiet Christian Commonwealth.  
But such was the will of Almighty God, as the world well knoweth, that this great hope and preparation, by many disasters on Sea and Land, too long to be here recited, was in a manner clean defeated, and there only remained a poor remnant of those Men and Women, Cattle and provisions, that escaped the danger and which are now remaining there to raise and build up that intended Colony.  
Which when those Gentlemen th'adventurers here saw, and that the expectance of so great a preparation brought nothing home but adverse success and bad reports, they for the most part withdrew themselves, in despair of the enterprise, and so gave it over, not enduring to repair the ruins, nor to supply what themselves had underwritten, to discharge the deep engagement, whereinto the Company was drawn by their encouragement.  
By whose unconstancy and irresolution, the hope of that Plantation, together with the lives of our people there, had then utterly perished, had not Gods secret purpose been more strongly fixed to uphold the same, by stirring up the minds and undaunted spirits of a very small remnant of constant Adventurers, that with Sir Thomas Smith (their Treasurer and Governor from the beginning) in all that time of three years disaster, were never discouraged, nor withdrew themselves from weekly Courts and meetings, yielding their purses, credit and counsel, from time to time, to make new supplies, even beyond their proportion, to uphold the Plantation.  
Insomuch as by the favourable assistance of God, who in his own wisdom doth oftentimes effect the greatest ends by weakest means, it is now come to pass, that our English Colony there, subsisteth in a very good and prosperous condition: They sow and reap their Corn in sufficient proportion, without want or impeachment; their Kine multiply already to some hundreds, their Swine to many thousands, their Goats and Poultry in great numbers, every man hath house and ground to his own use, and now being able to maintain themselves with food, they are also prepared and ready, once having the means, to set upon the Minerals, whereof there are many sorts; as also to plant and sow such several kinds of Seeds and Fruits, as may best befit the Soil and Climate, to make the Land profitable to themselves and th'adventurers.  
This being a true Relation of the present state and hope of things in VIRGINIA, we thought good in this short manner to mention it by the way, as well to give those worthy Governors in VIRGINIA their deserved praise, for the unspeakable pains and hazard which they have endured there, in framing the people and Plantation to so happy a form, as also to withdraw the despairing thoughts of such old retired Adventurers, that make no other reckoning, but whatsoever hath been spent upon the name of VIRGINIA to be lost and cast away; the special purpose of this our Publication, being to another end, which for the further satisfying of all reasonable minded, we will now in few words deliver.  
It was published to the world, about seven years since, and the time is now expired, wherein we promised to cause a divident to be made of the Lands in Virginia, as well to every man's person that went himself to the Plantation, as to every particular man that had adventured his money.  
And in as much as we are now by the Natives liking and consent, in actual possession of a great part of the Country, the other part not as yet freed from encumber of woods and trees, nor thoroughly surveyed, whereby to make a divident of the whole: yet of that part which is now fit for Plantation, we intent God willing to begin a present Division by Lot to every man that hath already adventured his money or person, for every single share of twelve pound ten shillings, fifty Acres of Land, till further opportunity will afford to divide the rest, which we doubt not will bring at least two hundred Acres to every single share.  
This Division is intended to be done by a new Governor with Commissioners and Surveyors to be sent from hence to join with others that are there already, to give every man his Lot in due proportion, according to such indifferent Directions as shall be given them in charge.  
And forasmuch as this course of sending a Governor with Commissioners and a Suruayor, with Men, Ships, and sundry provisions, for fortifications and other occasions, as all men may conceive, cannot be effected without great charge and expense to the Company; it is therefore thought requisite, and determined, that so many Adventurers as will partake of this first divident, shall present their Names, with their number of shares, into a Book remaining at Sir Thomas smith's for that purpose, before the 25. of june next.  
And they shall also promise under their hands, to contribute to the said charge, the sum of twelve pound ten shillings, to be paid within one month after Subscription, whether his shares be more or less, except any man shall be pleased to adventure more, and for which twelve pound ten shillings (or more if he will) he shall also have a further divident of land in proportion, as for all other his moneys formerly adventured. But for such as are not able to lay down present money, if they shall desire favour, it is agreed for them, that the Treasurer may receive the one half of their said adventure in present money, after their underwriting, to furnish out the ships, and the other half at six Months after that.  
And that no man may hereafter excuse himself by ignorance, nor tax the Company for concealing their purpose, we declare to all men, that this present Division is to be only in the Lands lying along the King's River on both sides, and all about the new Towns erected; in which so many as shall give in their names as aforesaid, may have their parts, and those that will not, may at their pleasure forbear till hereafter, to take their Lot upon the same terms in places more remote.  
The Names of all such as will partake of this divident, shall be given in writing to the Commissioners before they go hence, at whose return they shall bring with them a perfect Map and Description of the said lands and ground divided, that every man may see and know in what condition and where his land lieth, that accordingly he may dispose thereof at his pleasure, either by going himself in person to possess it, or by sending families to manure it for yearly rent, or for half the clear profits as many others do.  
And furthermore, every man's portion allotted to him, shall be confirmed as state of inheritance to him and his heirs for ever, with bounds and limits under the Companies Seal, to be holden of his Majesty, as of his Manor of East Greenwich, in Socage Tenure, and not in Capite, according to his majesties gracious Letters Patents already granted to the VIRGINIA Company in that behalf.  
And notwithstanding, as we hope, the chief brunt and doubt of that Plantation is now overpast, whereof to their great charge and hazard the old Adventurers have endured the most difficult part, and might therefore justly appropriate this present divident to themselves, yet at the motion and desire of many Gentlemen and others, intending to be new adventurers, it is resolved and granted by the Company, that all new Adventurers, subscribing and performing the conditions before mentioned, for twelve pound ten shillings, or more, shall partake in proportion as freely in this present divident, and in any other privilege and freedom in VIRGINIA, as if with the old Adventurers they had been partakers from the beginning. (* ⁎ *)  
FINIS.