BAYNE: First LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY IN AMERICA 9 
gesses, died. Two having been excluded, this left the number of 
burgesses at 10. | 
On Monday Capt. Martin appeared at the bar and reiterated his 
refusal to infringe any part of his patent. He pleaded guilty to 
the charge against his subordinate Ensign Harrison and stated his 
willingness to give security for the good behavior of his people 
toward the Indians. 
The Assembly then resolved to ask an explanation of the com- 
pany of the clause in Capt. Martin’s patent on the ground that it 
was obscure and tended to contradict or destroy the uniformity 
and equality of laws in the colony. They also desired that it 
should be explained why it was that Capt. Martin claimed 500 
acres a share for those ten shares allowed him for his personal 
adventures and what kind of shares the company meant he should 
have when they gave him his patent. : 
And so Capt. Martin was disposed of for the present. 
The first general law ever passed in this country (August 2, 
1619) was in the following language: 
“By this present general Assemly be it enacted, that no injury 
Or oppression be wrought by the English against the Indians 
whereby the present peace may be disturbed and ancient quarrels 
might be revived. And farther be it ordained that the Chica- 
hominie are not be excepted out of this law; until either that suche 
order come out of Englande or that they doe provoke us by some 
newe Injury.” 
Then followed enactments against idleness, providing: that the 
plantation to which the idler belonged should appoint the idler a 
master to serve for wages until he show apparent signs of amend- 
ment. 
Against gaming at dice and cards, providing that the winners 
should lose their winnings and both winners and losers should 
forfeit ten shillings a man, one forfeit going to the discoverer and 
the balance to charitable and pious uses in the plantation where the 
fault is committed. 
Against drunkenness of private persons, providing that for the 
first offense they be reproved privately by the minister, the second 
time publicly, the third time to lie “in boltes”’ twelve hours in the 
