The Great Charter of November, 1618, the law and government of the English colony in Virginia

One of the puzzling features of the historiography of the settlement of Virginia in its early years is the emphasis placed on the provisions contained in the instructions given to George Yeardley in November, 1618 for the government of the colony and the protection of the rights of individuals there. These instructions are frequently attributed to the inspiration of Sir Edwin Sandys and his allies in the period immediately preceding his election in April, 1619 as Treasurer of the Virginia Company of London. It should, however, be noted that Sandys did not, prima facie, regard the instructions given to Yeardley as definitive. The Court Book of the Company for 12th May, 1619 noted that Sandys then moved for the appointment of a committee to constitute laws and settle a form of government "for all Virginia" (VCR, Volume 1, page 216). Similarly, the Court Book of the Company noted on 2nd February, 1620 (VCR, Volume 1, page 303) that a form of government for the colony had yet to be settled by the company.

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