BAYNE: First LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY IN AMERICA Bi 
In 1616 there were six distinct settlements, or as they were then 
known, towns, plantations, or hundreds curiously organized and 
partaking of the nature of a military, political, religious, and social 
establishment. The total population at this time was 357. Mr. 
John Rolfe, in his “ Relation,” quaintly informs us that there were 
then in the colony, “83 cowes, heifers and calfes, 41 steeres, 20 
bulles.’ “ Memorand: 20 of the cowes were great with calfe,” 
“2 horses, 3 mares, Goats and Kidds, male and female in all 216, 
Hoggs wild and tame not to be numbered, Poultry great plenty.” 
In “A Declaration of the State of the Colony and Affairs in 
Virginia,’ issued by the “Counseil” in 1620, the following de- 
scription 1s given: 
“The Countrey is rich, spacious and well watered; temporate 
as for the climate; very healthful after men a little accustomed to 
it; abounding with all God’s naturall blessings. The Land replen- 
ished with the goodliest woods in the world, and those full of 
Deere, and other Beasts for sustenance: The Seas and Rivers 
(where of many are exceeding faire and navigable) full of excel- 
lent fish, and of all sorts desirable; both Water and Land yeelding 
Fowle in very great store and variety: In Summe, a Countrey too 
good for ill people; and wee hope reserved by the providence of 
God, for such as shall apply themselves faithfully to his service, 
and be a strength and honour to our King and Nation.” 
There had been almost from the beginning two parties in the 
company in London: the Court Party, backed by His Majesty’s 
influence and contending to extend his power and prerogatives; 
and the Country or Virginia Party, striving for the best interests 
of the colony and the gradual development and the prevalence of 
popular rights. : 
Up to 1619 the Court Party were in the ascendancy, but in that 
year the control of the company, upon the defeat of Sir Thomas 
Smith for the treasurership, passed to the Virginia Party. Sir 
Edwin Sandys was elected treasurer and a new order of things 
began. The result of the election caused great excitement in Eng- 
land, we are told, and the discussions in the company and its poli- 
cies attracted more and more the popular attention. 
