All this extent of territory, or, leaft, from 34 The ancient to 45 degrees of north latitude, including all that Virginia tract of land, which is fituated between the extreme bounds of New England and Carolina, north and fouth, was, in the reign of queen Elizabeth, named Virginia; which was then deemed to comprehend all the habitable part of the British continental territories in America. Which name is faid to have been given it, either by the queen herself, or by Sir Walter Raleigh, who, in the year 1584, 1584. obtained a patent from the queen, for making a fettlement in America. This was accordingly attempted, at different times; though at firft unfuccessfully, in that part of the continent, which still retains the name of Virginia.*

Virginia

In the year 1606, the whole extent of this ter- 1606. ritory was divided into two parts, or colonies, by dividedinto a charter obtained of king James, for two compa- two colo nies. The first was called the South Virginia com- nies. pany, comprehending the now named provinces of Maryland, Virginia and Carolina; or all the country which is fituated between 34 and 41 degrees of N. latitude, which includes part of Pennsylvania.

Thefe

*«In the year 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh formed his scheme with a number of gentlemen and merchants, for making a settlement in America; for which purpofe queen Elizabeth, on lady day, this year, grants him, &c. a charter for the poffeffing of fuch remote heathen lands, not then inhabited by Chrifiians, as they fhould discover in fix years; of which they thereby had the property granted to them for ever, referving to the crown the fifth part of all the gold and filver ore found therein, with power to feize, to their proper ufe, all fhips, with their merchandize, that fhall without leave, plant within two hundred miles of this intended fettlement; excepting however, the queen's subjects and allies, fishing at Newfoundland," &c.“ Grants free denization to the planters and their pofterity refiding there."- "Powers are also granted to the patentees, for making Bye-laws there, not repugnant to thofe of England.”—Amidas and Barlow, with two veffels, were accordingly sent the fame year."They arrived at a part of what is now called Virginia; which name, either the queen herself, or Sir Walter Raleigh, gave that country; where making fome infignificant trade with the natives, they returned home."

N. B. In this, and fome other patents of thofe times, there was no diftinct place, longitude nor latitude, fixed or limited, for fuch plantation, although, undoubtedly, North America was the country intended."

Anderfon, &c.

Planting of

These were called the London adventurers. The fecond company were called the Plymouth adventurers; who were empowered to plant and inhabit fo far as to 45 degrees of N. latitude, in which compass was included what is now called Pennfylvania, in part, New Jersey, New York and New England.

The firft, or London company, which most pro Virginia, perly ought to be called the Virginia company, did, in this fame year 1606, or the next following, effect a fettlement near the mouth of Powhatan, now called James's river, within Chefapeak bay, which they named James town; which name it ftill retains. This is faid to have been the firft English colony, on the continent of America, which took root, and has continued permanent to our days; all former attempts having proved abortive.

1620.

N. England

From this time, till the year 1620, the planting Planting of of New-England, or the northern divifion, appears &L.C. not to have been fuccesfully undertaken; though there had been feveral voyages made during this interval, but moftly in a trading way, to that part of the continent.* But in the year 1620, the first permanent plantation, or, which remains fuch to this time, appears to have been made in that coun try; to which king Charles the first, then prince of Wales, is faid to have given the name of NewEngland: For which purpofe (fays governor Hutchinfon, in his hiftory of Masachusetts bay) a new patent was granted, bearing date, November third 1620, incorporating the adventurers to the

"It is evident, from the charter, that the original defign of it was to constitute a corporation in England, like that of the Eaft Indies, and other great companies, with powers to fettle plantations within the limits of the territory, under fuch forms of government and magistracy as should. be fit and neceffary."

Hutchinson's biflory of Massachusetts Bay.

+"Captain John Smith, having furveyed the inland country, and prefented a map of it to Charles, prince of Wales, the prince gave the country the name of New England?'

Anderfon, &e.

the northern colony, by the name of The Council for the affairs of New-England; the bounds of the country were expreffed between forty and fortyeight degrees north."

In the year 1623, there were fo many complaints made of bad management, that, on enquiry, a Quo warranto was issued against the Virginia charters, including both North and South Virginia; and it is faid, after a trial in the King's Bench, they were declared forfeited.*

"In volume feventeenth of Rymer's Fadera, page 608, we have a more diftinct view of the condition of the colony of Virginia; in a com; miffion from King James, to many lords and gentlemen, as follows, viz." WE, having by letters patent of the fourth year of our reign, granted powers to divers knights, gentlemen and others, for the more Speedy accomplishment of the plantation of Virginia, that they fhould divide themselves into two colonies; the one to confift of Londoners, called the First Colony; and the other, of thofe of Briflol, Exeter and Plymouth, called the Second Colony. And we did, by feveral letters under our privy feal, prefcribe orders and conftitutions, for directing the affairs of faid colony.

“And whereas, afterwards, upon the petition of divers adventurers and planters of the faid First (or London) colony, WE, by letters patent in the feventh year of our reign, (anno 1610) incorporated divers noblemen, knights, &c. by the name of The Treasurer and Company of Adventurers and Planters of the city of London, for the firft Colony of Virginia; granting them divers lands, territories, &c. to be conveyed by them to the adventurers and planters; with power to have a council there refident, for the affairs of the colony; and alfo to place and difplace officers.

"And afterwards, in the tenth year of our reign, (1613) by letters patent, did further mention to give that Company divers Ifles, on that coaft."

"And whereas, WE, finding the courfes taken, for the fettling of the faid colony, have not taken the good effect, we intended, did, by a late commiffion to fundry perfons of quality and truft, cause the state of the faid colony to be examined into; who, after much pains taken, reported, that most of our people fent thither, had died by sickness and famine, and by maffacrees by the natives; and that fuch as are ftill living, were in a lamentable neceflity and want; though they (the Commifli oners) conceived the country to be both fruitful and healthful; and that, if industry were used, it would produce many good staple commodities.”"But by neglect of the Governors and Managers here, it had, as yet, produced few, or none". "That the faid plantations are of great importance; and would, as they hoped, remain a lafting monument of our most gracious aud happy government to all posterity, if the fame were profecuted to these ends, for which they were first undertaken.""Whereupon, We, entering into mature confideration of the premises, did, by advice of our Privy Council, refolve to alter the charter of the faid Company, as to points of government:-but the faid Treasurer and Company not fubmitting thereto, The faid charters are now avoided by a Quo Warranto. Wherefore, We direct you to confider the state of the faid colony, and what points are fitting to be inferted in the intended new

charter,

1625,

The prefent

fettled ia

Virgnia.

"And about the year 1625,"-(fays Anderfor, in his hiftorical deduction of commerce, &c.)— form of go-"King Charles the first iffued the following procla vernment mation, which first laudably established the prudent form of government, in which this, (i. e. South Virginia; or what is now called Virginia,) and the other régal colonies, have remained to this day (1761) viz.—That, whereas, in his royal father's time, the charter of the Virginia Company was, by a Quo warranto annulled; and whereas, his faid father was, and he himself alfo is of opinion, that the government of that colony by a company incorporated, confifting of a multitude of perfons of various difpofitions, among whom affairs of the greatest moment are ruled by a majority of votes, was not fo proper for carrying on profperously the affairs of the colony: wherefore, to reduce the government thereof to fuch a course, as might beft agree with that form, which was held in his royal monarchy; and confidering alfo that we hold thefe territories of Virginia, and the Somer Iles, as alfo that of New England, (lately planted) with the limits thereof, to be a part of our royal empire; We ordain, that the government of the colony of Virginia fhall immediately depend on ourself, and not to be committed to any company or corporation; to whom it may be proper to truft matters of trade and commerce, but cannot be fit to commit the ordering of ftate affairs. Wherefore our commiffioners for thofe affairs fhall proceed as directed, till we establish a council here, for that colony; to be fubordinate to our Privy Council."-" And, that we will alfo establish another council, to be refident in Virginia, who fhall be fubordinate to our council here, for that colony. And, at our own charge

charter, and to report to Us."- "And in the meantime to take care to fupply the Planters there with neceffaries, and to do all other acts needful for maintaining the colony."

"Moreover the King (Ibidem page 618) appoints Sir Francis Wyat, Governor of the colony, with eleven Counsellors, refidingin the colony." Anderson, &c. vol. 2. page 18.

charge we will maintain those public officers and minifters, and that strength of men, munition, and fortification, which fhall be neceffary for the defence of that plantation."

After the diffolution of the Virginia charters, the British continental territories, in America, that had before gone under the name of Virginia, being under the immediate direction of the crown, and at liberty to be granted to whom the crown thought proper, particular patents, in confequence thereof, for fuch parts as remained unplanted, were accordingly granted at various times, and on different And in the year 1628, on the fourth of March, the fettlers on Maffachusetts bay ob- New-Entained their first royal charter, for the government gland. of that colony; Matthew Cradock being appointed Hutchinthe first Governor, and Thomas Goffe, deputy Go- fon'shiftery vernor; the patent, from the council of Plymouth chufetts Lay having given them a right to the foil only, but no powers of government.

occafions.

And in

of Maffa

Dutch dif

New

York, &c.

In the year 1609, the Dutch East India compa- 1609. ny, according to their own writers, employed covery, or Henry Hudfon, an Englishman, to attempt the dif- claim, &c. covery of a north west paffage to China; in this of voyage he discovered Delaware bay;* and alfo failed to the place, where New York now ftands, and up North river, called by him Hudson's river, fo far north, as latitude 43 degrees. In confequence of which

"Sir Thomas Weft, Lord Delaware, made Captain General of Virginia, in 1609, in his fecond voyage to that colony, in the year 1618, died at fea; and I think, (fays Stith, in his hiftory of Virginia,) I have fomewhere feen, that he died about the mouth of Delaware bay, which thence took its name from him."

Stith's hiftory of Virginia.

But I find, in an old Sweedish manufcript, it was called Poutaxat by the Indians.

"Henry Hudfun, an Englifbman, according to our authors, in the year 1608, under a commiffion from the king, his mafter, discovered Longfland, New-York, and the river that ftill bears his name; and afterwards fold the country, or rather his right, to the Dutch.”

Smith's hiftory of New-Yor