BAYNE: First LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY IN AMERICA 5 
ley, wrote to Sir Dudley Carleton: “ Your Lordship may know 
that we are riot the veriest beggars in the world. One cow-keeper 
here in James City, on Sunday goes accoutred in fresh, flaming 
silk and a wife of one, that in England had professed the black art, 
not of a scholar, but a Collier of Croyden, wears her rough beaver . 
hat with a fair pearl hat band, and a silken suit thereto corre- 
spondent.” 
Shortly after his arrival, Yeardley sent his summons to each of 
the boroughs, towns, or plantations to elect two burgesses to attend 
a general assembly to consist of the governor, the council, and the 
burgesses, each free man being entitled to a vote, to be held at 
Jamestown on July 30, 1619. 
The details of the election are wanting but, if the time-honored 
practice within the memory of those yet living is any guide, the 
vote was taken by each elector coming up to the polling place and 
there in the presence of his countrymen proclaiming aloud, so that 
all might hear, the candidates of his choice. 
However this may be, the burgesses were elected. There were 
at the time eleven boroughs or plantations; each was represented, 
so there were twenty-two burgesses in all, and these with the gov- 
ernor and council constituted the Assembly. 
They met at Jamestown on July 30, 1619, in the “ Quire of the 
Churche.” John Pory, the secretary of the colony, was appointed 
speaker, who reported the proceedings. This was the opening, in 
his own words: 
“The most convenient place we could finde to sitt in was the 
Quire of the Churche. Where Sir George Yeardley, the Gov- 
ernor, being sett down in his accustomed place, those of the Coun- 
sell of Estate Sate nexte him on both handes, except onely the 
Secretary, then appointed the speaker and Thomas Pierse, the ser- 
geant standing at the barre, to be ready for any service the Assem- 
bly should command him. But, for as muche as men’s affairs doe 
little prosper, where God’s service is neglected all the burgesses 
tooke their places in the Quire, till a prayer was said by Mr. 
Bucke, the minister, that it would please God to guide and sanctifie 
all our proceedings to his owne glory, and the good of the planta- 
