America and West Indies: Addenda 1641

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 9, 1675-1676 and Addenda 1574-1674. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1893.

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'America and West Indies: Addenda 1641', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 9, 1675-1676 and Addenda 1574-1674, (London, 1893) pp. 84. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol9/p84 [accessed 26 March 2024]

Addenda 1641

1641
Aug. 9.
Westminister.
193. The King's Commission to Sir William Berkeley and others to be the Governor and Council of Virginia. Whereas by Letters Patent dated 11th January 1639 his Majesty appointed Sir Francis Wyatt and others to be the Governor and Council of Virginia, which Commission his Majesty absolutely revokes by these presents; nevertheless, minding that said colony should be regulated as well in ecclesiastical as temporal government, according to the laws of England, his Majesty therefore, for the better ordering of the affairs of said Colony, until he shall find means to give more ample directions for the same, by these presents nominates Sir William Berkeley to be the present Governor, and Sir Francis Wyatt, John West, Richard Kemp, Samuel Matthews, Nathaniel Littleton, Christopher Wormeley, William Peirce, Roger Windgate, John Hopson, Thomas Paulett, George Menefie, Henry Browne, William Brocas, Argall Yardley, Thomas Pettus, Thomas Willoughby. Richard Bennett, and Humfrey Higgeson, to be the present Council of said Colony, with power to execute the authorities incident to a Governor and Council of Virginia as amply as any Governor or Council there within the space of 10 years last past; to grant Commissions for the discovery of the country, and finding out what trades shall be most for the advantage of said Colony, and to send out forces for the subduing of the Indians, and make war or peace with them in all cases, as may stand with the safety of said Colony and his Majesty's honour, keeping always sufficient forces for holding the places now enjoyed. And said Commissioners shall have power on the death or absence of said Sir William Berkeley to select one of said Council to be present Governor. Nevertheless, they shall proceed according to such instructions as they do now or shall hereafter receive from his Majesty's Privy Council and Lords Commissioners and Committees for the time being. And upon the death or discontinuance of any one of said Council, said Governor and Council shall elect some other discreet person in the room of him, and certify the same to the Lords Commissioners of Plantations to receive allowance or disallowance. And said Sir William Berkeley and Richard Kemp, before they depart out of England, shall take the oaths heretofore taken before the Lord Keeper or Lord Privy Seal, and shall afterwards administer the same to Sir Francis Wyatt and the other Councillors aforesaid. And this Commission shall continue in force until by some other writing under the Signet, Privy Seal, or Great Seal, his Majesty shall signify his pleasure to the contrary. 2 Membs. [Patent Roll. 17 Car. I., pt. 6. No. 6.]