a8 
HISTORY OF THE [book. iii. 
House of Commons in the year 1667. From his 
answer to that article, I have collected (chiefly in 
his own words) great part of the account that I 
have given; and there cannot be a stronger demon¬ 
stration of the tendency of power to pervert the 
for their lands; and yet have been long and quiet possessors of the 
same, and bestowed great charges thereon. And whereas the acknow¬ 
ledgment of forty pounds of cotton per head, and other taxes and com¬ 
positions formerly raised to the eal of Carlisle, was held very heavy: 
For a full remedy thereof for all the defects afore-related, and quiet¬ 
ing the possessions and settling the tenures of the inhabitants of this 
island; Be it enacted by his excellency Francis Lord Willoughby of 
Parham, See. his council, and gentlemen of the assembly, and by 
the authority of the same, that notwithstanding the defects afore-rela¬ 
ted all the now rightful possessors of lands, tenements and heredita¬ 
ments within this island, according to the laws and customs thereof, 
may at all times repair unto his excellency for the full confirmation of 
their estates and tenures, and then and there shall and may receive such 
full confirmation and assurance, under his majesty’s great seal for this 
island, as they can reasonably advise or desire, according to the true 
intent and meaning of this act. And be it further enacted by the au¬ 
thority aforesaid, that all and every the payments of forty pounds of 
cotton per head, and all other duties, rents, and arrears of rent which 
have or might have been levied, be from henceforth absolutely and 
fully released and made void; and that the inhabitants of this island 
have and hold their seveial plantations to them and their heirs forever, 
in free and common soccage, yielding and paying therefore, at the Feast 
of St. Michael every year, if the same be lawfully demanded, one ear 
of Indian corn to his majesty, his heirs and successors for ever, in full 
and free discharge of all rents and services for the future whatsoever, 
jn consideration of the release of the said forty pounds, and in consi¬ 
deration of the confirmation of all e tates in this island as aforesaid, 
and in acknowledgment of his majesty s grace and favour in sending 
£0 and appointing over us his said excellency', of whose prudence and 
moderate government we have heretofore had large experience, and do 
