62 KING CHARLES ON TOBACCO. 



ordering all patents and processes to issue in bis own name, 

 reserving to himself a quit-rent of two shillings for every 

 hundred acres of land." 



The first act was by proclamation as follows : 



" That whereas, in bis royal father's time, the charter of 

 the Virginia Company was by a quo warranto annulled ; and 

 whereas his said father was, and he himself also is, of opinion, 

 that the government of that Colony by a company incorpo- 

 rated, consisting of a multitude of persons of various dispo- 

 sitions, amongst whom affairs of the greatest moment are 

 ruled by a majority of votes, was not so proper, for carrying 

 on, prosperously, the affairs of the colony; wherefore, to 

 reduce the government thereof to such a course as might 

 best agree with that form which was held in his royal mon- 

 archy ; and considering also, that we hold those territories of 

 Virginia and Somer isles, as also that of New England, lately 

 planted, with the limits thereof, to be a part of our royal 

 empire; we ordain that the government of Virginia shall 

 immediately depend on ourself , and not be committed to any 

 company or corporation, to whom it may be proper to trust 

 matters of trade and commerce, but cannot be fit to commit 

 the ordering of state affairs. 



" Wherefore our commissioners for those affairs shall pro- 

 ceed as directed, till we establish a council here for that 

 colony ; to be subordinate to out council here for that colony. 

 And at our charge we will maintain those public officers and 

 ministers and that strength of men, munition, and fortifica- 

 tion, which shall be necessary for the defence of that planta- 

 tion. And we will also settle and assure the particular rights 

 and interests of every planter and adventurer. Lastly, 

 whereas the tobacco of those plantations (the only present 

 means of their subsisting) cannot be managed for the good 

 of the plantations, unless it be brought into one hand, whereby 

 the foreign tobacco of those plantations may yield a certain 

 and ready price to the owners thereof : to avoid all differences 

 between the planters and adventurers themselves, we resolve 

 to take the same into our own hands, and to give such prices 

 for the same as may give reasonable satisfaction, whereof we 

 will determine at better leisure." 



From this time forward the Plantation seemed to prosper, 

 Charles granted lands to all the planters and adventurers 

 who would till them, upon paying the annual sum of two 

 shillings payable to the crown for each hundred acres. 



