1623, the Privy Council stated that the King had "taken into his
princely Consideration the distressed State of the Colony of Virginia,
occasioned, as it seemed, by the Ill Government of the Company." The
remedy for the ill-management lay in the reduction of the Government
into fewer hands. His Majesty had resolved therefore upon the withdrawal
of the Company's charter and the substitution, "with due regard for
continuing and preserving the Interest of all Adventurers and private
persons whatsoever," of a new order of things. The new order proved, on
examination, to be the old order of rule by the Crown. Would the Company
surrender the old charter and accept a new one so modeled?

The Company, through the country party, strove to gain time. They met
with a succession of arbitrary measures and were finally forced to a
decision. They would not surrender their charter. Then a writ of
quo warranto was issued; trial before the King's Bench followed; and
judgment was rendered against the Company in the spring term of 1624.
Thus with clangor fell the famous Virginia Company.

That was one year. The March of the next year James Stuart, King of
England, died. That young Henry who was Prince of Wales when the Susan
Constant, the Goodspeed, and the Discovery sailed past a cape and named
it for him Cape Henry, also had died. His younger brother Charles, for
whom was named that other and opposite cape, now ascended the throne as
King Charles the First of England.

In Virginia no more General Assemblies are held for four years.
King Charles embarks upon "personal rule." Sir Francis Wyatt, a good
Governor, is retained by commission and a Council is appointed by
the King. No longer are affairs to be conducted after a fashion
"democratical and tumultuous." Orders are transmitted from England;
the Governor, assisted by the Council, will take into cognizance purely
local needs; and when he sees some occasion he will issue a proclamation.

Wyatt, recalled finally to England; George Yeardley again, who died in
a year's time; Francis West, that brother of Lord De La Warr and an
ancient planter--these in quick succession sit in the Governor's chair.
Following them John Pott, doctor of medicine, has his short term.
Then the King sends out Sir John Harvey, avaricious and arbitrary,
"so haughty and furious to the Council and the best gentlemen of the
country," says Beverley, "that his tyranny grew at last insupportable."

The Company previou