The speech of the Honourable Sr. VVilliam Berkeley governour and capt. generall of Virginea, to the burgesses in the Grand Assembly at James Towne on the 17 of March, 1651 : together with a declaration of the whole country, occasioned upon the sight of a printed paper from England, intituled An act, &c.

The speech of the Honourable Sr. VVilliam Berkeley governour and capt. generall of Virginea, to the burgesses in the Grand Assembly at James Towne on the 17 of March, 1651 : together with a declaration of the whole country, occasioned upon the sight of a printed paper from England, intituled An act, &c.

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Title page

The speech of the Honourable SR. WILLIAM BERKELEY Gouvernour and Capt: Generall of Virginea, to the Burgesses in the Grand Assembly at Iames Towne on the 17. of March 1650/1. Together with a Declaration of the whole Country, occasioned upon the sight of a printed paper from England, Intituled An Act. &c.

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THE SPEECH of the Honourable SR. VVILLIAM BERKELEY Governour and Capt: Generall of Virginea, to the Burgesses in the Grand Assembly at Iames Towne on the 17. of March 1650/1.

TOGETHER WITH A DECLARATION Of the whole Country, occasioned upon the sight of a printed paper from England, Intituled An Act. &c.

HAGH, Printed By Samuell Broun English Bookeseller. 1651.

The speech of the Honourable SR. WILLIAM BERKELEY Gouvernour and Capt: Generall of Virginea, to the Burgesses in the Grand Assembly at Iames Towne on the 17. of March 1650/1.
Together with a Declaration of the whole Country, occasioned upon the sight of a printed paper from England, Intituled An Act. &c.

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GEntlemen you perceave by the DECLARATION that the men of Westminster have set out, which I beleeve you have all seene, how they meane to deale with you hereafter, who in the [...]me of their wooing and courting you propound such hard Conditions to be performed on your parts, & on their owne [...]othing but a benigne acceptance of your duties to them. [...]ndeed me thinks they might have proposed something to [...]s which might have strengthned us to beare those heavy [...]haines they are making ready for us, though it were but [Page] an assurance that we shall eat the bread for which our owne Oxen plow, and with our owne sweat we reape; but this assurance (it seemes) were a franchise beyond the Condition they have resolu'd on the Question we ought to be in: For the reason why they talke so Magisterially to us is this, we are forsooth their worships slaves, bought with their money and by consequence ought not to buy, or sell but with those they shall Authorize with a few trifles to Coszen us of all for which we toile and labour. If the whole Current of their reasoning were not as ridiculous, as their actions have been Tyrannicall and bloudy; we might wonder with what browes they could sustaine such impertinent assertions: For if you looke into it, the strength of their argument runs onely thus: we have laid violent hands on your Land-Lord, possess'd his Manner house where you used to pay your rents, therfore now tender your respects to the same house you once reverenced: I call my Conscience to witnes, I lie not, I cannot in all their Declaration perceave a stronger argument for what they vvould impose on us, then this which I have now told you: They talke indeed of money laid out on this Country in its infancy: I vvill not say how little, nor how Centuply repaid, but will onely aske, was it theirs? They who in the beginning of this warr were so poore, & indigent, that the wealth and rapines of three Kingdomes & their Churches too, cannot yet make rich, but are faine to seeke out new Territories and impositions to sustaine their Luxury amongst themselves. Surely Gentlemen we are more slaves by nature, then their power can make us if we suffer our selves to be shaken with these paper bulletts, & those on my life are the heaviest they either can or will send us. 'Tis true with us they have long threatned the Barbados, yet not a ship goes thither but to beg trade, nor will they do to [Page] us, if we dare Honourably resist their Imperious Ordinance. Assuredly Gentlemen you have heard under what heavy burthens, the afflicted English Nation now groanes, and calls to heaven for releife: how new and formerly unheard of impositions make the wifes pray for barrennes and their husbands deafnes to exclude the cryes of their succourles, staruing children: And I am confident you do believe, none would long endure this slavery, if the sword at their throats Did not Compell them to Languish under the misery they howrely suffer. Looke on their sufferings with the Eyes of understanding, and that will prevent all your teares but those of Compassion. Consider with what prisons and Axes they have paid those that have served them to the hazard of their soules: Consider your selves how happy your are and have been, how the Gates of wealth and Honour are shut on no man, and that there is not here an Arbitrary hand that dares to touch the substance of either poore or rich: But that which I would have you cheifly to consider with thankfullnes is: That God hath seperated you from the guilt of the crying bloud of our Pious Souveraigne of ever blessed memory: But mistake not Gentlemen part of it will yet staine your garments if you willingly submit to those murtherers hands that shed it: I tremble to thinke how the oathes they will impose will make those guilty of [...]t, that have long abhor'd the traiterousnesse of the act: But I confesse having had so frequent testimonies of your truths and courages, I cannot have a reasonable suspition of any cowardly falling of from the former resolutions, and have onely mentioned this last, as a part of my duty and care of you, not of my reall doubts and feares: or if with untryed men we were to argue on this subject, what is it can be hoped for in a change, which we have not allready? [Page] Is it liberty? The sun looks not on a people more free then we are from all oppression. Is it wealth? Hundreds of examples shew us that Industry & Thrift in a short time may bring us to as high a degree of it, as the Country and out Conditions are yet capable of: Is it securety to enjoy this wealth when gotten? With out blushing I will speake it, I am confident theare lives not that person can accuse me of attempting the least act against any mans property? Is it peace? The Indians God be blessed round about us are subdued; we can onely feare the Londoners, who would faine bring us to the same poverty, wherein the Dutch found and releived us; would take away the liberty of our consciences, and tongues, and our right of giving and selling our goods to whom vve please. But Gentlemen by the Grace of God we will not so tamely part with our KING, and all these blessings we enjoy under him; and if they oppose us, do but follow me, I will either lead you to victory, or loose a life which I cannot more gloriously sacrifice they for my loyalty, and your security.

Vera Copia

John Corker

Cler: Dom: Commons.

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This speech being ended the pretended Act of Parliament was publiquely read in the Assembly where upon (at the motion of the Howse of Commons to the Governour and Councell) this following vindication was unanimously agreed on.

[Page]WE The Governour Councell and Burgesses of Virginea, have seene a printed paper bearing date at London the 3. of Octob. 1651. wherein (with other Plantations of America) we are prohibited trade and Commerce with all but such as the present power shall allow of: We likewise see our selves branded in it with the ignominious names of Rebells and Traitors, which we so much abhor, that we would detest our selves if we thought they were deservedly imposed on us: And shall take leave to thinke we are unworthily slandered, till stronger proofes then we yet find, are brought against us to convince our judgements and Consciences that we are guilty of those Horrid Crimes. Therefore though we professe that our judgments and industry, have been long solely and necessarily imployed in providing against the necessities of our poore families, and by Consequence should not presume that any Act or Transaction of [...]ours could be worthy the publique view: Yet since the plainest vindication of innocencie is accepted, we shall intimate the reasons of ours, imploring charitable and abler [...]udgments to perfect what we shall hint to them in our answeares, to the Aspersions we find Authorised against us.

And First whereas they say, That the Plantations in America were seated at the Cost and established by the Authority of some in England, and therfore ought to be governed by the Lawes of England. [Page] We conceave we may safely confesse all this, and yet not run the Hazard of any misprision of guilt, nay we thinke, this only testimony of theirs were sufficient to cleere us from the Aspersions of Rebells, and Traitors, if we had no other markes of innocency left us: For we say, we were some of us sent, others permitted to come hither by the gratious favour of our Pious KINGS, sworne to governe, and be governed (as farr as possible the place was Capable of) by the lawes of England; which lawes we have inviolably and sacredly kept as farr as our abilityes to execute and our Capacityes to judge would permit us, and with reason; for these lawes onely in such times of tumults stormes, and tempests, can humanely prevent our ruines: These lawes often enjoyned us the Oathes of Allegeance and Supremacy, and they tell us, that no power on earth can absolve or manumit us from our obedience to ou [...] PRINCE, and his lawfull Successors: These lawes tell us that when we have don all vve can to auoyd it, we may resist violence with force, and in a lawfull defence of ourselves, destroy any that shall endeavour to take away our lives or substance: These lawes vve professe are our guides and do beleeve vve deserve punishment and infamy if we vvillingly, or vvillfully deviate from them.

Secondly suppose vve vvere such slaves by nature as to be awed vvith the iron rods held over us, in what hand soever found; would not then themselves thinke vve deserved the worst usage could be inflicted on us. For what assurance could vve give of our nevv Loyalty, after having so childishly, and impiously, relinquisht our old Allegeance? Could vve reasonably repine to pay vvith our ovvne swea [...] and bloud, those Garrisons which must be kept among as, to [Page] fix such volatile obedience as ours would appeare to be? For as the Question is stated to us, we ought to yeild to whosoever possesse themselves of Westminste [...] Hall: Where we experimentally have found, the heads of divers factions and pretensions, have presided and excluded one the other; and we have no Oraculous assurance, but it may be so againe; therfore in a Condition so dubious and uncertaine, as ours would be (wherein no lesse then our soules are concern'd) we desire them to permit us simple men to take leave to follow the perspicuous and plaine pathes of God and our lawes, & that they would be pleas'd to remember that good charitable Axiome in them, That none should be condemned till they here first Heard.

Thirdly we are told of Great summes of money laid out [...]n this Country: For all we have receav'd we are most thankfull: But surelyit will be no evidence of ingratitude [...]o say to whom we ovve most, & this must needes be acknowledg'd to our KINGS, who gave liberally themselves and permitted Lotteries to be erected for us: We confesse private adventurers added much, and might have enjoyed the fruit of it,In the Yeare 1622 when ther were but 300 persons lest alive by that Massacre. If the first blow to the Colony, had not taken from them all hopes or desires of prosecuting that, which they so earnestly begun; But certainly what ever their liberallity was, we should have auoided it more then our Rattle snakes, of it had inevitably made slaves, our selves, our wives, children, and Posterity. Since the Massacre onely private Marchants have adventured hither for private gaines, and we confesse have supplied us with that, which we could not well have wanted, but this we suppose would be no convincing argument to France, Spaine, or the Low Countries, for their subjection to England because these severall places [Page] have been thus furnish't by her. If then we owe any thing it is to our KINGS liberallity, care, and protection, and w [...] beseech you give us leave to pay our acknowledgment t [...] them.

Fourthly we are told of usurping a Government to our selve [...] We wish we could transmit our recordes to the view of ou [...] accusers; By them it would appeare how little we deserv [...] this imputation. For since the beginning of the Colony w [...] have never innovated nor altred any thing in the maine [...] the Government: But in case we had done it, what mor [...] likely Patrons could we chuse, to protect us then those who accuse us? Grant we had banish'd, confin'd, imprison'd condemn'd, and excecuted those that refuse to obey th [...] lawes confirm'd by many consummated free Parliaments would not those pardon and absolve us who have done th [...] same to others that have refused to obey their edicts, when they in their consciences beleeve they ought not to acknowledg to be a Parliament? Yet the truth is, vve have don [...] none of these things, no man here ever suffer'd in his perso [...] or estate: Concerning the differences in England, our lavve [...] keepe them in better awe then to dare to speake against th [...] Protector of them: 'Tis true indeed,Factious Clergy men. Two, chose rather to leave the Country then to take the Oathes of Allegeance and Supremacy, and we acknowledg that vve gladly parted vvith them.

Having ansvveared these accusations, vve appeale even to their ovvne judgments that produced them vvhether vve deserve those hatefull names of Rebells and Traitors: Bu [...] vve beleive they vvill still use them to us and others because those Lucky Bugbeares of Rebells, and Malignants, have [Page] frighted divers to the desertion of honest causes: Yet being [...]as vve suppose in their ovvne consciences) free from these [...]nputed crimes, (though very short sighted in such subtile matters) vve thinke vve can easely find out the cause of this [...]cluding us the society of Nations, vvhich bring us necessa [...]es for vvhat our Country produces: And that is the Ava [...]ce of a fevv interrested persons, vvho endeavour to rob us [...]f all vve svveat and labour for: Therefore on the vvhole [...]atter vve Conclude: We are resolv'd to Continue our [...]legeance to our most Gratious KING, yet as long as his [...]atious favour permits us, vve vvill peaceably (as for [...]erly) trade vvith the Londoners, and all other Nations in [...]nity vvith our Soveraigne: Protect all forraigne Mer [...]ants vvith our utmost force from injury in the rivers: [...]ve Letters of Reprisall to any injured vvith in our Capes: [...]lvvaies pray for the happy restauration of our KING, and pentance in them, vvho to the hazard of their soules have [...]osed him.

This is unammously consented to by the Governour, Councell and Burgesses Teste

Ro: Huberd

Cl: Cons:

Johan Corker

Cl: Dom: Com:

Information about this book

Title statement

The speech of the Honourable Sr. VVilliam Berkeley governour and capt. generall of Virginea, to the burgesses in the Grand Assembly at James Towne on the 17 of March, 1651 : together with a declaration of the whole country, occasioned upon the sight of a printed paper from England, intituled An act, &c.

Berkeley, William, Sir, 1608-1677.

Edition statement

1651

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Text Creation Partnership,

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Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A27467

ID [STC]

Wing B1976

ID [STC]

ESTC R35748

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

15555175

ID [OCLC]

ocm 15555175

ID [VID]

103711

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A27467)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 103711)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1582:42)

Source

— The speech of the Honourable Sr. VVilliam Berkeley governour and capt. generall of Virginea, to the burgesses in the Grand Assembly at James Towne on the 17 of March, 1651 : together with a declaration of the whole country, occasioned upon the sight of a printed paper from England, intituled An act, &c., Berkeley, William, Sir, 1608-1677..

Extent

11 p.

Printed by Samuell Broun English bookseller,. Hagh [The Hague] :: 1651.. (Professing loyalty to Charles II.) (Imperfect: tightly bound, with some loss of print.) (Reproduction of the original in the Trinity College Library, Dublin University.)

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