ch formerly they suffered,
and that those cruell lawes by which we had soe longe been governed were
now abrogated, and that we were now to be governed by those free lawes
which his Ma^{ty's} subjects live under in Englande. And farther that
free libertie was given to all men to make choice of their dividents of
lande and, as their abilities and meanes w^d permitt, to possesse and
plant uppon them. And that they might have a hande in the governinge of
themselves, it was granted that a general assemblie should be helde
yearly once, wherat were to be present the Gov^r and Counsell with two
Burgesses from each Plantation freely to be elected by the inhabitants
thereof; this assembly to have power to make and ordaine whatsoever
lawes and orders should by them be thought good and proffittable for our
subsistance. The effect of which proceedinge gave such incouragement to
every person heere that all of them followed their perticular labours
with singular alacrity and industry, soe that, through the blessinge of
God uppon our willinge labors, within the space of three yeares, our
countrye flourished with many new erected Plantations, from the head of
the River to Kicoughtan, beautifull and pleasant to the spectators, and
comfortable for the releife and succor of all such as by occasion did
travaile by land or by water; every man giveinge free entertainment,
both to frendes or others. The plenty of these times likewise was such
that all men generally were sufficiently furnished with corne, and many
alsoe had plenty of cattle, swine, poultry and other good provisions to
nourish them. Monethly courtes were held in every precinct to doe
justice in redressinge of all small and petty matters, others of more
consequence beinge referred to the Gov^r, Counsell and Generall
Assemblie. Now alsoe were begunne and sett a foote the erectinge of Iron
Workes, plantinge of vines and mulberrie trees for the nourishinge of
silke wormes; a trial made for silke grasse tillage for English graine,
gardeninge, and the like, which gave great hopes of present and future
plenty in their severall perticulars, wherin no doubt but much more had
been effected had not great sicknes and mortalitie prevented.

Those yeares fallinge out to be generally contagious through this
continent, the people alsoe sent over arrived heere at the most
unseasonable time of the yeare, beinge at the heat of Sommer, and divers
of the ships brought with them most pestilent infecti