A SHORT COLLECTION OF THE Most Remarkable Passages from the original to the dissolution OF THE VIRGINIA COMPANY. LONDON, Prined by Richard Cotes for Edward Husband, at the Golden Dragon in Fleetstreet, 1651. To the honourable Company of the Adventurers for the summer (alias Bermudas) Islands. My Lords and Gentlemen, HAving received this following Collection some years since, by the appointment of Mr. W. Woodnoth deceased, without further directions then what might be gathered from the Postscript and purpose of the whole Relation; I remember the author Mr. Arthur Woodnoth to have been a worthy m●mber, and sometimes Deputy of this Company, and an ancient Adventurer and diligent prosecutor of the best ends for the advancement of the Virginia Plantation. I conceive his purpose might be to take a fitting time for reviving the original rights of this Plantation, and thereby to encourage this Company in their best endeavours, by setting forth the honour and constant goodness of Sir John Danvers likely to give the greatest assistance therein And considering the respect and gratefulness of most of the members and best interessed persons of this Company, in choosing that worthy person Sir John Danvers your governor, and finding his constant endeavours to answer the greatest of your expectations, in preserving your just rights and privileges; I judge it now a ●it time to publish the same; and shall forbear to say more of his worth, so fully charactered throughout this Discourse. A. P. An Account and Observation taken by A. W. a true friend and Servant to Sir John Danvers, and the Parliament-int●rest. Containing a great part of his more public Transactions, concerning the Plantation of VIRGINIA, &c. After some years spent at several times in travel beyo●d the se●s, he was shor●ly after his return into England, swo●ne Servant to P. Henry, of his Priv●-ch●●ber in ordinary, ●emaining und●r the countenance of his favour till h●e di●d. But the light of the Court se●ming to him much obscured after the setting of that bright star, and some relish taken of the uncertainty of Court-favour towards any that should sh●w themselves cordial for public good (which was alw●i●● his aim) in Parliam●nt, or otherwhere; he was unwilling to fix himself in any particular dep●nd●nce upon the Court: all that he sought was some just r●commendation from this King, who upon that occasion told him, that he would value him with the best of his Servants of his condition, for the love he knew his brother bore to him; whereunto Sir I. Danvers answered, it was so great a favour, as that he would ask no better than to be continued in his esteem, which he would value as much as if he had preferred him to some great office or place in his service. And further considering the proceedings of K. and Court, where the ordinary transactions by men of all conditions were mostly directed towards the advancement of absolute power and tyranny, he was less frequent in Court, and renewed his former care and diligence, spending much time in advancing the honourable design● for the Plantation of Virginia. The Continent of Virginia discovered in the time of Q Elizabeth (who gave it that name) was in the beginning of K. James his reign much advanced in reputation, and the advantages promised thereby seemed then worthy the best consideration how to make it a Plantation for the English: Whereupon many wor●hy Patriots, Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, Merchant●, and others held consultation, which produced a large subscription of Adventurers of all qualitie● in several proportions, to the value of 200000. l. or thereabouts. By which time a Patent was procured with great privileges and immunities for the Adventurers, as establishing and impowering a council of State, as well as a general Company, whereby the whole affairs of that Plantation s●ould in perpetuity be governed; when a great and forward con●idence was cast upon Sir Thomas Smith, governor of the East-India, and divers other Companies in London; who because he was imprisoned in the Tower, after the Earl of Essex h●d rested at his h●use (being sheriff at that time his Lordship w●nt to appeal to the Citizens of London, the day of his last restraint) wa● though● a better Patriot than afterwards approved. But he so far preva●l●d, or some others in his behalf, that he was constituted the ●irst governor of th●t Company, but under the title of Treasurer, whereby he had the chief power and purse o● the Company. And about thi● time one Sir Thomas Ga●●s, reputed a worthy, dis●r●●t, and experienc●d Soldier, wa● sent a● Go●ernour into V●rgin●a, which drew on a great increase of people voyaging 〈◊〉, and planting there, wh● were to have ●h●pping and provisions sent them by the said Treasurer and Company; which accordingly was ordered, and in some reasonable manner in appearance performed for the space of three years, or thereabouts, the time limited for the Government of the said Sir Thomas Gates. But in short time the reputation of this undertaking grew so high, and the government of Virginia was thought so considerable, as it must be confirmed upon some peer of the Realm, and the L. de la Warr was nominated thereunto, and went governor by Patent from the Company for three years. But through the failing of industry upon the place, and of supplies of sweet victuals, and other accommodations by shipping from England, and the sickliness the Lord governor had contracted there, he came home before his time was expired. When Sir Thomas Smith used means by his Courtship rather to blame the unhealthfulness of that country, then to have any fault imposed upon the undertakers, for want of sending supplies in due time to Virginia. Nevertheless, Henry Earl of Southampton, whose goodness equalled his honour, having long understood as well by the general notions he had of the place, as by persons partitularly employed in such discovery, that it was no less healthful than fruitful, if rightly ordered by some industrious person, his Lordship procured Sir Thomas Dale a worthy and experienced soldier in the Low-countries to be sent thither as governor, by whose judicious observation and industry they might be assured of the whole state and condition of the country and People on that Plantation. And he by the ability of his body as well as mind, through much endurance, by want in the miscarriage of supplies, brought home, as a great instance of his labours and value of the country, at least sixteen several sorts of staple commodities, to be raised and propagated in this Plantation. And now the best affected of this Nation having found the pulse of the Court beating wholly in observance of the Spanish counsels and ends, by interrupting at home, and bar●ing our trade to the W. Indies, laid hold on this expectation of Virginia, as a providence cast before them of double advantage, by means whereof those also that would avoid Court dependence, might most honourably employ themselves in attending the meetings of that Company and Co●ncell; whilst in short time some other new discoveries were made by the adventures and charge of the s●●d Company, as that of the Bermudas, which by reason of its natural strength, and convenient scitu●●ion gave additional encouragement, and seemed to promise security for warlike shipping and navigation t●roughout the English Plantations. Frequent consultations were now had of these affairs in the A●●emblies of that council and Company, and otherwise amongst those who were most distasted with the proceedings of the Court, and stood best affected to Religion and Liberty; which occasioned that passionate speech of K. James, swearing, The Virginia C●mpany was a seminary for a seditious Parliament, which caused a more close and considerate proceeding in those affairs. But the meetings authorized by several Parents granted under the great Seal did exclude or divert the Prerogative-destructive intrusion; whilst a number of great Lords and some others remained sedulous and united towards the right end● declared. And by this time it appeared palpably that encouragements were giv●n on all hands to disturb and interrupt the regular and forward proceedings of the Company, and the care and circumspection of the council in like manner made burdensome and prejudicial to many worthy persons in pa●●icular. When also in a first place the Plantation of New England, though at first under the patent and limitation of Virginia; was aft●r much dispute and prosecution by Sir Fard●nand ●●rges then governor of Plymouth, and of the Court. Party, by a new Patent under the specious title of the Weste●n Plantation divided from the first undertaking and had gr●ate● compliance with the King and Court-interest, the more to divide the strength, and weaken the power of the council and Company of Virginia, residing in and about London. Which nevertheless the wisdom of God hath made in these days to appear a ble●sing upon that undertaking. Other interruptions were from turbulent persons, whose weakest pretensions against the Company or eminent persons therein concerned, were winged with powerful recommendation from Court, but not so considerable yet, as to hinder the sedulity of those worthy persons and Parriots, who still consulting the ways and means for the wished ends, and finding Sir Thomas Smith involved with the Court and Spanish party, it was as soon suspected that by his super-intendence as President and governor, he had willingly omitted the care and vigilance which should have forwarded and secured the supplies; the want whereof had distressed and discouraged the chief undertaking. Nor was there any such account appea●ing, but that much money received was unaccounted for; but managed in such an intricate or delusive way as could not well be charged on the Treasurer, nor directly on any other responsible person. At private meetings of the E. of Southampton, Sir Edwin Sandys, Sir John Danvers, &c. several observations and proposals occasioned this result, that nothing would serve to redeem the honour and reputation of the design for Virginia, and readvance the prosperity thereof, so much as an entire and real account published, the better to discover former negligences or corruptions, and to beget a better care for the future. And hereupon at a great and general Quarter-Court, Sir Edwin Sandys, Sir John Danvers, Mr. I. Wroth, Mr. Abbot's, afterwards Sir Maurice Abbots, and Mr. Abdey afterwards Alderman, were five Auditors authorized to draw on all manner of accounts, for satisfaction of the world as well as the Company. Against any good effect by such Audit much endeavour and backwardness appeared in all kind of Accountants, but most in Sir Thomas Smith's Creatures or dependants; whereby great difficulty, or at least dilatoriness was found, which Sir M. Abbots, and Alderman Abdey took for occasion to tell the rest, that they being Merchants, their necessary business would not afford them time for a work of such unhopefull an issue, by reason of the various intricacies of Accounts, and of such uncertain voyages as those for Plantations. They desiring and forcing to be excused, left the whole care and pains to Sir E. Sandys, Sir John Danvers, and Mr. Wroth, who finding a multiplication of difficulties and interruptions from day to day, were forced after two or three months' time; first, to suppositate a new and direct method for accounting for the future, which in a book of Account exposed weekly at every Court on the Table, might the better satisfy; whilst a larger time was taken to rake up the more ancient obstruction or concealment. In which pursuit Sir E. Sandys, Sir I. Danvers, and most times Mr. I. Wroth were together five days of the week, from between nine and ten of the clock in the morning, till five or six in the evening, for the space of nine months; not without retryving and possibility of gaining in a very considerable sum, to be charged on Sir Th. Smith, as was generally believed. Mean while much industry was used by Bed-chamber-men, and other superintendent great persons to beget a disrelish in K. James against the proceedings of the Virginia Company, upon the score that he was to uphold Sir Thomas Smith's honour and reputation, so prevalent in Companies, and amongst the most wealthy Citizens, to procure him loans for supplying his most necessary' occasions: which by means of Sir John Danvers familiar correspondence with some of the bedchamber, that did serve P. Henry, was prevented, by inculcating the consideration of palpable injustice, in obstructing the power granted to the Company: as others in like manner were careful, whereby the business of Virginia forced (as it were) a passage through opposition, both foreign and domestic; for the Spanish Ambassador (whose power was great in the Court counsels) was very sedulous, and spared no money to hinder the same. The good hope of this Plantation bringing on the ancient Adventurers, and their moneys, encouraged also the prosecution and attaining the grant of a Lottery over all England, which seconded with respective private Letters to the generous and well affected persons in every County, caused great sums of money to be brought in, and employed for the Plantation, which brought on the casting out Sir Tho. Smith, and establishing Sir Ed. Sandys Treasurer and governor of the Company, by whose great care and abilities Virginia's increase and plenty seemed a very hopeful addition to the dominion of England. Mean-whiles the care and circumspection of the now governor drew all sorts of experienced persons of other Nations as mineral men from Germany, Vignerons from France, &c. to present themselves, who were in numbers entertained to assist the industry of the Planters, which with many other concurrent circumstances of encouragement appeared in one years' time advantageous to the design beyond expectatiod, as by Sir E. Sandys account of his Transactions was made manifest unto hundreds of Lords and Gentlemen assembled at their Quarter Court in Easter term, the time for the new election of the Treasurer or governor. At which time when the Court prepared to make a new election, most intending to choose Sir Edwin Sandys for another year, Mr. Robert Kirkham one of the Clerks of the Signet, with Mr. Alderman Hammersley, presented themselves as Messengers from K. James, congratulating the hopeful progress of the Virginia Plantation, but withal professing his majesty's great care, where so many of his subjects were concerned. And therefore the country being so remote, and wherein the greatest Merchants might be most knowing through their experience and interest, his Majesty recommended six persons, whereof he expected one should be that day chosen their governor; which struck a silence into the whole Court for a time, but in conclusion declared (as believed) by Will. E. of Pembroke, Henry E. of Southampton, and others, to be against the Companies just freedom of election granted by Letters Patents, and caused by some misinformation given the King, whereof they would speak with him. In the mean time an order was entered for continuance of that Quarter Court on a day the week after. The same Court again assembled, and those Lords desired a preparatve meeting of the council for Virginia, where it was freely recounted, how K. James remained obstinately excepting against the person of Sir Edwin Sandys, declaring him his greatest enemy, and that he could hardly think well of whomsoever was his friend, and all this in a furious passion returning no other answer, but Choose the devil, if you will, but ●●t Sir Edwin Sandys. Hereupon the generality of the Company being in the height of discontent, and the Lords and others of the more timorous nature in trouble how to proceed in the presence of a very considerable Assembly in a cause so lately rais●d to such expectation, which now they could not but account lost by this discouragement, Sir John Danvers entreated some private conference with the E. of Southampton, a most cordial stickler for this Plantation, and asked, whether his Lordship would be pleased to own the place, if the Company chose him Treasurer, whilst they should not fail by all means to f●ce him from the pains and trouble by nominating such a Deputy as would please his Lordship and the whole Company, in prosecuting still those ways which might give satisfaction and encouragement to the undertakers. That most Noble Lords' answer was, I know the King will be angry at it, but so the expectation of this pious and glorious work may be encouraged, let them do with me what they please. And accordingly the council & Company in a fair way chose the Earl Treasurer, and Sir E. Sandys Deputy, which such other co-incident officers for ●ropagating the work intended, as was generally acceptable and applauded by all good men. The public asserting of those rights and immunities granted under the great Seal of England, much raised the spirits, and increased the number● of those that made preparation for this Plantation; for wi●hin the following year there we●e above fifty Patents granted under the Seal of the C●mpany to several person●, who were to have land set out and allotted unto them, propo●tionable t● the numbe●s of people they engaged to transplant from England: the least number so c●ntracted fo● in any one Patent wa● a hu●d●ed some 5 hundred● some a thousand● and divers in greater proportions, and thes● pat●ntees were not the meanest in honour, virtue and godlines●. And now was likewise so great a compliance in this pio●● work, an● moneys came in so plentifully from the Lottery, ●●d by payment of Arrears upon fo●mer subsc●iption●, as seemed almost to promise as well as to invite a great part of the Nation to withdraw themselves from an oppressing unto a more free government establishing in Virginia, whither great store of shipping was engaged and even in readiness; when in the conclusion of a broken Parliament by K. James, both the E. of Southampton and Sir Edwin Sandys were committed close Prisoners, upon private assumed suggestions, which struck some terror into most undertakers for Virginia. Nor did the shipping and Passengers know which way to derive those Orders, Warrants, and Allowances which were many ways necessary and pertinent for setting forward of their voyages. The complaints and apprehensions thereupon coming to the place where the Courts and Registries were kept (the house of Mr. Farrars Merchant in St. Syths-lane● London.) much bewailing and consultation was there had. Where after consideration of the power granted to the Company; the two Farrars Brothers by their discretion and affection assisting much herein) it was resolved, That the Company might and should proc●ed, as if their governor and Deputy were hindered by sickness, or other diver●ion, and finding the whole proceeding like to be more advantaged if Sir John Danvers would show himself to keep and govern the Courts, a number w●nt with Mr. Nicholas Farrar home to his house, imploring his assistance, which (though knowing, as my Lord of Southampton said, the King would not be pleased therewith) he readily undertook, to the great satisfaction of many the Adventurers and Planters. In which time of his transaction, which was about a month or three weeks, there were freighted and went out from London 25 sail of considerable shipping and numbers of Passengers for Virginia, besides others about the same time from the Western ports. The E. of Southampton, and Sir Ed. Sandys were by this time released, and nothing appearing against them, rejoiced the more, to ●ind the dispatch of the shipping, &c. so well over. And though by a contrived sudden complaint in Parliament, against the Lotteries for Virginia, as pernicious to the countries where they were introduced, with seconding informations suggested; the Lotteries were voted down, and the great●st stream for supplies of money now stopped, yet consultation and endeavours gave new hope of benefit other ways, which more than probably might still advance the Plantation, wherein many parties had their aims and expectation. Whilst th●se forementioned passages were in hand, the Court and Spanish faction failed not to give assist●nce and ●ncouragem●nt to all those (and they were very many) that strained by any way or means to divert or interrupt the affairs under the care of this council and Company. Which drew on their considera●ion for the displacing of Sir Thomas Smi●●, and constituting of Sir Edwin Sandys governor of the Bermudas or Summer-Ilands Company, and Plantation, whi●h was an appendan● o●Virginia, the labour and safety of both being the same, and by the members thought fit to be trusted in one way, and in hands and counsels best approved. Sir Ed. Sandys settling in that government, was encountered with much information of neglect or infidelity committed therein, by Sir Thomas Smith, the I●land wholly wanting ammunition to maintain it against an enemy: which the place b●ing of that importance, seemed much to startle the undertakers, the most whereof were the principal Earls, Lords, and Gentlem●n of best thought● and affection in the Virginia Company, who as they were par●icularly in●eressed by purchase, so had they a special care of the Castles, Fortresses and harbour there, capable to preserve and maintain a Fleet of ships, fit to succour and protect Virginia, and other American Plantations in expectation to be added ther●unto● from the ampli●ude of a l●●e● Pat●n● for compr●hending a ●umb●r of oth●r Islands as well as the Bermudas, within the limitation of the Virginia Plantation. And now it was advertised from the E. of Somerset, the than Favourite and Favour●r of the Engl●sh r●ghts, that he understood by confident intelligence, that the Spaniards h●d a design about a certain time of tha● year to att●mpt the seizing of that ●●land, because it was wholly unprovid●d of powder and ammunition, & appr●hended as at this time wi●hout vi●ible possibility of present supplies● But it pl●as●d God through the ne●lective way of Sir Tho. Smith the gove●nm●nt of the Island was disposed into the hands of one M●re, who upon sight of two Spanish vessels of good burden approaching towa●ds the chi●f Castle at the entrance of the Port, got powder and shot for the charging only of two pieces of Artillery, which leveled and discharged near at once upon those ships. The Commander thinking himself betray●d, because he was assured he should find no manner of ammunition, weighs anchor, and se●s sail away from thence● as the first return of shipping ●rom the ●●rmudas made cl●er unto the Company, &c. This happy escape aggravating the omission or corruption of Sir Tho. Smith, seemed to revive and give a new vigour ●o the Partners in this Plantation, and there being nothing of more spe●dy advantage on the place for return to the owners and adventurers than the planting and transporting of Tobacco (whilst it might be imported, as from Virginia for 5 percent● for their custom) great store thereof was made and preparing, when upon some tender of a large r●nt for the sole sale of Tobacco, an order of the council Bord did impose paym●nt of the highest custom, as to thirty or forty in the hundred upon the Bermudas Tobacco, proportionably with all other, notwithstanding the ●●emption within their Pa●●nt: which, with other things, much intr●nching upon the ●ight● and privileges of the Adventurers, gave occasion of a through consultation of the Earls, Lords, Gentl●men and ●●r●hant● concerned, and in conclusion caused an address of thems●lve● personally, desiring audience of K. James, which being attained, and prosecut●d by the society o● the Earl●s of Pembroke, Southampt●n, and oth●rs, the Lord Cavendish being appointed to express the nature of complaint and appeal to the King, his Lordship had no sooner e●●red into the matter, but that his Maj●sty began to show much discontent, and with much ado was drawn to any patience, which gave much dis●ouragem●nt in the case, and prevented the declaring of the most just cause of importunity appointed to my Lord Cavendish; when Sir John Dan●ers fell on his knee, and besought the King to hear him, as the first time he ever had the honour to speak unto his Majesty in a serious business: and having leave, he stoutly inculcated that point of justice, which could not be denied, at which the King flung away in greater passion; insomuch that the Prince who is now King, drew Sir I. Danvers aside, as in favour to him, desiring he would urge the King no fur●her, and undert●ok to speak with Sir I. Danvers, and accordingly to move the King at some other time, which was unperformed, though more than once desired by Sir I. Danvers. According to which course or vogue of State, some Lords and others, though Members of the same Company, t●ok up speciou●ly the corrupt interest of those that had been formerly ●onstituted and employed in places & affairs o● trust belonging to these Planta●ions, as some of the former governors sent in time of Sir Thomas Shiloh's Government, either to Virginia or the Bermudas, &c. who b●ing concurrently obnoxious in point of Account, were as firmly supported by him and his friends, with the Spanniolized ●action of the council Bord, and the King● bedchamber. Which proceedings excited the better and more cons●ant faithful party to the more careful and laborious pe●severance, when the prospering of the undertaking towards so great an addition of Dominion, was from time to tim● interrupted, as about this time by Quaeres to the number o● two or three and thirty from the council Bord, by the King's special appointment● pretending great care that such numbers o● his subject● gone to the Plantations, might be circumstantially provid●d ●or in their laws, freedoms, &c. These Quaeres sent on the Sa●u●day were to be satis●ied the Tuesday following● at sitting of the council in the afternoon. The Lo●d Ca●e●d●sh● Sir ●dwin Sandys● Sir I●hn Danvers and Mr. Ni●h●la● Farrar mee●ing by appointment of the Company, with power to c●n●ider and present what they should ●ind pertinent therein, sound a hard ●a●ke to answer so many particulars in so s●●●t time. Yet ●inding that the truths c●uch●d or exem●li●●ed in the ●eiger-books of the Company would s●ti●●●e the Q●aeres and obj●cti●ns thereupon, Mr. Farrar desired the bu●ine●●●●nd s●●rch might be divided into 4 parts● wherein he would take that of greatest labour: which wa● concluded b● the other thr●e, and accordingly brought together the Tue●d●y morning● and presented to the Coun●●ll board in the ●fternoon, and gave the Lord● a most unexpected satisfaction, as was confessed. When by way of congratulation it was proposed, that now there was so great numbers and Trade like to follow in that Plantation, some care might be taken for their safety by special fortifications, & an account thereof made to the King. Whereupon it was ordered at the board, that William Earl of Pembroke, Southampton and other Lords of the council and Company for Virginia, should make enquiry and acquaint his Majesty of what was, and would be done in that point, for preservation of the lives of his subjects against enemies, either Natives of Virginia, or others, since he had vowed, that if he had not satisfaction therein, he would think himself bound to take the whole government and the appointing of governors into his own hands. Which occasioned the calling together of a council for Virginia of all that were near, who as they clearly saw the desperate malignity of the Secret-Court-Spanish party, so often appearing in persecution of this Plantation; so had they a great apprehension the King could not be easily satisfied, since the Companies treasure was exhausted, and there was little hopes of more contribution or Adventurers, whilst they lay under such discouragement. Sir John Danvers remembering some notion of hope, and looking over the books of Letters from Virginia, he observed that throughout the year passed there was never less than 17 sail of shipping in James River, the heart of the Plantation, inferring, that if the King's fairer compliance should keep the Company in the same encouragement, the strength of so many floating Forts in that flat situation, would be equivalent to, if not exceeding any possible speedy fortification; which the E. of Pembroke, &c. conceived fully sufficient to satisfy the King, if he had not an inveterate disaffection to the work: and this proved an answer appearingly well received by the King. Now had the Company a little leisure from the storms or inquisition of the council Bord, whilst nevertheless particular persons of all ranks, and divers under the countenance of those disaffected Lords & others, were fallen from the true sense and justice of the work chiefly intended. But it was not long before Sir Lionel Cranfield, presently after E. of Middlesex, about the time of his approaching to be L. Treasurer, seemed seriously to renew his former professed contemplation of, & affection to the work of this Plantation, with many reasons and instances of his wellwishing, and ●t last made this specious overture. It is a misfo●tune (Says he) not to be avoided, that whilst the Plantations in their present infancy have their whole subsistence by the trade of tobacco, the King's necessities casting him upon all, and any ways for advancement of his revenue, a tender is made of more than 20000 l. per annum, for the whole importing and sale thereof, and when the Virginia or Summer-Islands Company offer to plead their freedom in the case, the Lawyers say, it is a poisonous drug which the King might justify to banish or burn, and not to be accounted as a staple or national commodity, in which case it was in the King's power to do his pleasure in any sort concerning the same; But to comply for the advantage of the Plantation, the Company might, and should if they pleased, have the sole importation to them and in their managing, for 20000 l. per ann. And to make his zeal and care appear for the prosperity of this great and pious work, he would put the Company into a way, whereby 200000. l. more should be gained over and above the Rent, to recompense their want of supplies by the Lottery, or by the freedom of their own Tobacco from the necessitated height of custom. And further declares, that their providing for the King's interest in so fixed a rent, would make him every way capable and assistant to all their future endeavours● which by some collateral means bending a great part of the most diligent adventurers of the Company to comply with this Proposition (some conceiving they should find a better glide in the business, others to have some advantageous employment in the m●naging of the Tobacco farme● and these considerations by way of result promoted by several stirring spirit● on Middlesex his grounds) the contract seemed concluded, and the managing pa●ts designed to special persons. When as soon almost it was app●rent that nothing of good was intended towards the Company, for now many base & false suggestions were raised against the E. of Southampt. Sir E. Sandys, and others, not a little aggravating in the minds of many ingenuous persons, who had no belief in such loosening of legal interest by Patent, the just ground of the whole undertaking, which with many lurking and distributed inventions diverted and broke the contract, whilst the subtlety of Cranfield advanced the same f●rm with avowed neglect of the Company and persons adhering ther●unto. And when the greatest disturbance on this and other occasions had wrought the members of this Company into eminent distraction, a Commi●●ion and Instructions by way of inquisition were issued with power ●o judge I●nes, Sir Henry Spiller, &c. to examine the proceedings of the Vi●ginia and Sommer-I●lands Company, as especially of the E. of Southampton, and Sir E. Sandys, which howsoever strictly and strangely carried [as when a Noble person asked the Judge, how he that was sworn to the laws, durst own proceedings in that nature, his answer was openly, There was one law of the land, but another law of the King's Commissions] yet many days and weeks of the inqui●●tion or persecution discovered no unworthiness against them, or any other of their consorts. After this the council, Company, Adventurers and Planters for Virginia, conceiving their estate and condition grown more hopeful, having p●st through the fire of such several rigorous inquisitions, and the undertak●r● having far engaged therein, a great rise of confid●nce and assurance appeared generally, as a renewing encouragement. But their sedulity and fervency was suddenly quas●t by a Quo W●rranto brought in the King's Bench against their P●tent. And notwithstanding it was more than presumed by some, that the most rightful contest or waging in a legal way would be fruitless, yet the Company by vote and order thereupon entertained counsel of the best Lawyers they could get, and resolved to spend the remaining part of their stock and cash to plead their cause to a due issue; when also some good number of unknown persons sent in money, plate, and jewels, to animate and assist so just a defence as this Companies right and interest, whilst many could not but conceive and fear the example might be most pernicious in other c●●es. Yet nevertheless before the end of the same term a judgement was declared by the Lord Chief Justice Ley against the Company and their Charter, only upon a failer, or mistake in pleading. Which destroyed the hopes of all that looked in a just & righteous way towards that pious and public work of Plantations. What was after prosecuted by force of the King's Commissions may appear by others, who have thought fit to embrace hope under such constitutions. Through the calamity of the forementioned sentence, very many honest and worthy persons declining to act under the King's ●ommiss●ō-laws, su●●cased from their exemplary indust●y towards Plantations; only the Company of Bermudas dependent and derived by particular purchase, and for valuable consideration from the Virginia Company, with con●irmation by special Charter under the great Seal, persisted in greater hope and confidence by reason their chief undertakers were E●rls, Lords, and others of quali●y, but most of them failing in short time, either by compliance or neglect, the care of this Plantation fell into the hands of some Members of the Company, less considerable, as to Court-interest and qualification, no● without discouragement in the general; which was the more dispersed by divers suggestions, as that those Islands had been declined or forsaken by the Spaniards, because they had found the place to be only a ●hell or shoal of ●ocks, that had contracted a small thickness of earth by the falling of leav●● from the trees, and herbs growing up between the rocks, which a short time would wear out● and quickly discover the folly of those that pretended to plant upon that soil; and that if any further thought should be to fortify thereon, or have shipping there, in probability to offend or interrupt the Spa●iards interest or trading in those parts, their power in the W●st-Indies, would be sure to ruin all that the English had effected b● whatsoever charge of any particular Company, unless the King would undertake to back them with his power, whereunto he seemed utterly averse. Nevertheless, by the incessant good endeavours of some few worthy Patriots, seasonably assisted by Sir I●h● Danvers, and others, upholding and encouraging them from time to time, a competent number of the owners of several shar●s of land, still remained well affected to maintain the Companies and every m●ns just interest. Who by choosing persons of eminency to bear the name of Governour● of their Company, that were willing to appear ●●r their support, and by driving an annual small trade of Tobacco, &c. held on the regular government of the Company here, and at the Island●, through various interruption● in hope of such fairer times a● might afford opportunity for highest thoughts of advantage to the undertakers● in which ●as● though almost l●ngui●hing they may not despair of some good issue of their bes● desire●. It may not be unfit in this place to call to mind some special acts of Sir John Danvers, wherein he took opportunity faithfully and kindly to serve his worthy friends. One whereof was this, That shortly after the judgement against the Virginia Company, one Mr. Collingwood came unto him, recounting his acknowledgement of great obligations for recommending him to the place of Secretary to the Virginia Company, which was growing every day more valuable, in case it had been happily continued: and at the same time acquainted him, that three Merchant men, one after another had been with him at his house, commending his parts and abilities for employment, and much pitying his case to be now destitute of means for the maintenance of him and his family, but concluding in a subtle & soothing way, that as he might perceive the King's displeasure against the E. of Southampton, and Sir E. Sandys, so would he gain employment and great benefit to himself for all the days of his life, by saying or discovering aught of their transactions, or otherwise, that should bring any ill reflection upon their persons. When his answer was, That he knew nothing but honour and justice in their ways, nor upon any terms would be drawn to such unthankfulness, as to offer the least matter against them. It is true (said he) they mentioned nothing relating to yourself (which he thought was forborn in regard of the particular relation and obligation he had to him.) Nor ●ould Mr. Collingwood think it possible openly to detect and convince those Merchants of this wickedness, because they came singly unto him, and by the same knavery would deny their attempts, but that this only was to be taken as a caution against such kind of base insinuation. Sir John Danvers asking further, where there was any of relation to those affairs that might be te●pted to such villainy: he answered, there was an indigent person, whom he had made use of to write and make entries for his assistance, whose hand-writing and intelligent apprehension had caused him to be sent for divers times to Southampton house, and employed in dictates by that Earl and Sir Ed. Sandys, and he being of unsettled or loose life, might possibly be drawn to serve the turns of Malevolents, &c. Sir I. Danvers took speedy course to engage him for a long time, most while locked up in a Chamber, till he had fairly copied the I●eiger Court books of all the main transactions of the Company for Virginia, accordingly at tested for true copies, and th●n encouraging him into the country to see his friends, giving him a part of reward for his pains, & obliging him to come to him again for the remainder, by which means he kept him wholly out of the way, and from temptation. And as soon after as he could speak with my Lord of Southampton, carried him the said authentical copies, declaring the information of Collingwood, and that having sometimes heard of a great governing court Lady, who was desirous to dispossess a female Heir that had married a young Gentleman, as to make her rather a wi●e to a creature or attendant of her own, and after working somewhat in diverting their affections each from other, a legal prosecution was had to disprove the marriage, which notwithstanding was affirmed by all sorts of circumstance & witnesses, yet by corrupting a Register, who in his Entries put a negative for an affirmative, He that was Judge of the cause secundum allegata & probata expressed on the Registry, declared a nullity of the former marriage, whereby the heir was remarried to a second person. This said Sir John Danvers gave him to consider, how the malice against the Earl, &c. failing in all other inventions, might possibly in like manner corrupt the records of the Virginia Company, getting them, as they did not long after into their custody and power. Wherefore he presented his Lordship with those true copies to be always ready for justification. The Earl was so affected therewith that he took Sir I. Danvers into his arms with very great thankfulness, saying, Who could have thought of such a friendship but Charles Danvers his brother, who was the truest friend that ever man had? and thereupon calling his kinsman Mr. Wriothsley chiefly ●ntrusted by him, declared the whole discourse, and in conclusion said, Let those books be carried, and safely kept at my house at Tichfield, they are the evidence of my honour, and I value them more than the evidence of my lands. Sir I. Danvers still applying his greatest care and interest for the advantage of his friends; finding Mr. Will. Carr in some degree of honour with the King, after his kinsman the E. of Somerset was set aside, and falling into discourse with him concerning the great worth and parts of Sir Edwin Sandys, whose kinswoman he had married, and therefore might be presumed the more read● to serve him● Sir I. Danvers put him in mind of the King's great d●s●leasure against that Noble Knight, and desired him at some seasonable time to inquire of the King, what might be the ground of his distaste and hatred against him: to whom the King gave this answer, that he knew Sir Ed. Sandys to be a man of exorbitant Ambition, upon the esteem he had of his own abilities, and that because by his incessant importunity he could not prevail to be made Secretary of State he had used his utmost endeavour to cross the Kings best intentions both ge●erall and particular; and this considered, the King said, he could not think well of any that would hold friendship with him. Mr. Carr communicating this to Sir I. Danvers, he told him, there was but one trial more to be made, that since possibly, according to the usual stratagems practised in Court, some might have unseasonably importuned the King in his behalf, and under the pre●ence of friendship done him some great prejudice in incensing the King's hatred against him, he would be pleased to venture so far, as to press the King to know who they were that solicited his Majesty for him, without his concurrence in a business that had brought so much of his displeasure upon him. Which Mr. Carr as nobly undertook, when the King was fain to take on him the whole matter and circumstance, saying, Sandys was too crafty to put his own ambitious design into any other hand, or move it otherwise then by his own mouth, from whom he had received such encroaching importunities as had utterly destroyed any interest he might ever expect in his good opinion: and so the King fell off in so great a fury, and with such imprecations from Mr. Carr, that he meeting with Sir I. Danvers bewailed the case with a very great doubtfulness what to think, moving questions about the integrity of Sir Edw. Sandys, which had been so much declared and believed. and so Sir I. Danvers and Mr. Carr parted, much wondering at this. Not long after the Court being removed to Greenwich, Sir Edw. Sandys having some business with my Lord Privy-S●ale, repaired thither, and being espied by Sir I. Danvers near to the Privy-chamber, who went to salute him, he demanded what room that was so full of company, and Sir I. Danvers telling him it was the King's Privy-chamber, where many stayed to see the King at dinner, he said he would f●●n see the King too, so as the King might not see him, because (as he said) he had understood by his best friends, the King's impatience would wrong him should he come near him. Whereupon Sir John Danvers told him he would warrant to stand so before him in the throng that he might have full view of the King without being discovered by him; which was accordingly performed for about a quarter of an hour, and so both retired out of that room. And afterwards Sir Edwin Sandys wondering that the King was so much altered in body and countenance since he had seen him last, which was when he came first out of Scotland, where he was with him. Is it possible, said Sir John Danvers, (thinking of the passage Mr. Carr had told him) that you having been so much in Parliament, and about London, should never have seen the King in so long a time? it seems almost past belief. Sir Edwin assuredly affirmed it, adding that from some apprehension given the King from his being in Scotland, when he had discourse with him, but of nothing that might give any offence, he had been warned by entire friends, and had observed by many passages in his own particular, that it would neither be ●it nor safe for him to come in his sight. The same day towards evening Sir John Danvers meeting with Mr. Carr, told him of this encounter in matter and circumstance, who lifting up his hands and eyes, said, Now God bless all good men, for my Master is a very— ● All which endeavour with Mr. Carr's leave was made known to Sir Edwin, who d●ubtlesse made a right use of thi● discovery. These instances, with others of like nature, too large to be remembered here, confirm the observation of those two worthy Gen. Mr. I●hn and Nich●l●s Farrars, the one a Merchant of known hone●●y, and the other eminent in all kind of learning, and true piety, (who with their most virtuous Mother deserve an honourable memory for their deserts, by laying out a good part of their plentiful fortune in piously advancing the undertaking for the Virginia and Bermud●s Plantation). That the Earl of Southampton was a noble person, of true honour and impartial justice. Sir Edwin Sandys, a man of great worth, learn●ng, and knowledge, but Sir John Dan●ers of a single entire heart, and firm in friendship. POSTSCRIPT. I Des●re my x Will. Woodnoth to offer this seasonably according to the communica●ion had thereof between us; and if in the me●n time he can get to view the Co●●● h●●●●s of the Virginia Company, and the Orders of the council Bord, he sh●l do we●l to add the year of our Lord in the Ma●gent a● eve●y main Transaction A. W. FINIS.