come necessary to alter the method prescribed by the late Schemes for collection of the quit rents.

It is therefore ordered that the Quitt Rents be collected in the same manner they were before the aforementioned Law was made with this only difference, that in the Warrant for collecting the said Quit Rents the sherif be directed to account for the species they receive whether it be bills of Exchange, Spanish Silver, of Cerele, Pillar, Mexico Coin at 172 cut for five shillings or in tobacco, and that the tobacco received be sold by the Receiver General, at publick auction in Aprill Generall Court. And the officers of the River are to take care that a form be sent to the Sherif for the more regular making up their Rent Rolls.

And it is further ordered that the officers of the Revenues give the Sheriffs an account of all Arrears of Quit Rents due in their ** and that the Sherif be, and they are hereby directed to make * * as well of the Arrears mentioned in such account as of *

due his Majesty

*

which they shall be able to discover to be said Country and in case any one shall re

fuse to pay their arrears to the said sheriffs, are further required to certify the Reasons by any particular person for such refusal.

DECISIONS OF VIRGINIA GENERAL COURT. 1626-1628.

The 14th day of November, 1627, being the day after ye buriall of Sr. George Yeardley, Knt., late Governor, the rest of the Council met, viz: Capt. Francis West, Dr. Pott, Capt. Smyth, Capt. Mathews, Mr. Persey, Mr. Clayborne, Capt. Tucker & Mr. Farrar.

At this time by ye opinions & voices of the Councill, Capt. Francis West, according to the commission of his excellent Mate directed unto us for ye same purpose, was elected & chosen to be present Governor & Captaine Generall of this his Maties Colony & Plantation of Virginia in as full and ample manner as by ye said Comission and their election may be derived uppon him.

A Court at James Citty the 9th February, 1627. Present, Capt. Francis West, Esqr., Governor &c., Dr. Pott, Capt. Matthewes, Mr. Claybourne & Capt. Tucker.

At this Court Lady Yeardley did (according to ye will of her late husband, Sr. George Yeardley, Knt., viz: he having willed that the plantation of one thousand acres of land at Stanley in Warwicke River, should be sold & made into Tobacco for the use of her & her children) acknowledged the said Plantation of one thousand acres to be by herselfe by virtue of the said will for good considerations & a valuable some of seven thousand waight of Tobacco sold & wholy made over unto Left" Thomas Flint, & to his heirs and assignes forever, the land being due unto ye said Sr. George Yeardley by the transportation of twenty persons who came over unto this Country in the Ship the Temperance, 1621, viz: Maximilian, Sone and Elizabeth his wife, George Whitchand, Thos. Nanson, Thos. Man, Tho. Harris, Thos. Powes, Wm. Chelmedge, John May, Philipp Smyth, Rich. Gregory, John Moyer, Peter Mason, Henry Rowen, Nathaniell Thomas, Wm. Brooke, John Phillips, John Bradford, John Penny, & George Deverill.*

At this Court Temperance, Lady Yeardley delivered upp those guiftes we have formerly been sent out of England & given to ye use of ye College, viz:

1. Communion Silver Guilt Cupp & two little Chalices in a cloth of gold cover.

2. One Crimson Velvet Carpet wth a gold & silver fringe. 3. One white damaske Comunion Cloath with buttons.

4. Fower divinity bookes wth brasse bosses.

More for the use of Southampton hundred church given by Mrs. May Robinson:

1. One Comunion Silver guilt cupp & two little chalices in a black leather cover.

2. One yellow & blue Cheiny Damaske Carpett wth a Silke fring.

3. One white damaske Comunion cloath.

4. One Surplisse.

* See ye Records of ye Passengers.

CHARGES AGAINST SPOTSWOOD.

[LUDWELL MSS., VIRGINIA Hist. Society COLLECTIONS.] Virginia

At a General Court held at the capitol Ap" ye 18, 1719.

country being returned

The grand jury for the body of this into Court and Demanded if they had agreed on any bills or presentments, they answer no, they had none to make, but they had drawn up an address to the Governor which they presented into Court, and the same being read and being in the following words, viz:

To the Honble Alexander Spotswood, his Majesty's Lieu: Governor and Comander in chief of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia; The Humble address of the Grand Jury of this Dominion, May it please your Honour:

With deep concern we reflect upon the unhappiness of having a party of men in this Colony so great Enemys to their Country as to make complaint against so good a Governor. Therefore we think we ought not to let slip this opportunity of approaching his most sacred Majesty and of clearing our consciences in this case by an Address to him, which we begg your Honour to transmitt home to be presented in our and our Country's behalf.

With unanimity we declare our almost dislike of a late Accusation against you, who through the whole course of your Administration have Exercised your authority over us by a conduct equally Just and mild. Particular Instances of which we have happily experienced in your Impartiall Dispensation of Justice so deservedly admired that a former grand Jury could not with patience hear your absence from this our Supreme Court, when you had too much reason not to be present. And those who have observed your penetration into the most difficult points that are argued before you, and your Integrity in giving your Judgment will readily Acquit you both of Misconstruing or perverting our Laws, of which you are wrongfully accused.

Your wisdom and goodness in Improving our Infant Colony are so visible in the Effects, and your merrit in all Respects is so great with regard to the publick good that we are filled with astonishment at the bare offer of a complaint against you. With this knowledge of you we cherrish well grounded hopes that your virtue will not only surmount these party attempts but also in spight of the Ingratitude of some disaffected men amongst us, breed and Nourished in your mind Inclinations to continue to preside in the Government of this Dominion, still to advance its prosperity by the same Auspicious influence, under which it has flourished ever since it has been so fortunate as to be conducted by your honour; which Blessing that his Majesty may long grant us and you with the utmost satisfaction to enjoy are the most Earnest desires and hearty wishes of

Your Hon Most Obedient Humble Servants