e best furderance they could. And some of y^e
cheefe of y^t company douted not to obtaine their suite of y^e king for
liberty in Religion, and to have it confirmed under y^e kings broad
seale, according to their desires. But it prooved a harder peece of
worke then they tooke it for; for though many means were used to bring
it aboute, yet it could not be effected; for ther were diverse of good
worth laboured with the king to obtaine it, (amongst whom was one of his
cheefe secretaries,[L]) and some other wrought with y^e archbishop to
give way therunto; but it proved all in vaine. Yet thus farr they
prevailed, in sounding his majesties mind, that he would connive at
them, & not molest them, provided they carried them selves peacably. But
to allow or tolerate them by his publick authoritie, under his seale,
they found it would not be. And this was all the cheefe of y^e Virginia
companie or any other of their best freinds could doe in the case. Yet
they perswaded them to goe on, for they presumed they should not be
troubled. And with this answer y^e messengers returned, and signified
what diligence had bene used, and to what issue things were come.

But this made a dampe in y^e busines, and caused some distraction, for
many were afraid that if they should unsetle them selves, & put of their
estates, and goe upon these hopes, it might prove dangerous, and but a
sandie foundation. Yea, it was thought they might better have presumed
hear upon without makeing any suite at all, then, haveing made it, to be
thus rejected. But some of y^e cheefest thought other wise, and y^t they
might well proceede hereupon, & that y^e kings majestie was willing
enough to suffer them without molestation, though for other reasons he
would not confirme it by any publick acte. And furdermore, if ther was
no securitie in this promise intimated, ther would be no great certainty
in a furder confirmation of y^e same; for if after wards ther should be
a purpose or desire to wrong them, though they had a seale as broad as
y^e house flore, it would not serve y^e turne; for ther would be means
enew found to recall or reverse it. Seeing therfore the course was
probable, they must rest herein on Gods providence, as they had done in
other things.

Upon this resolution, other messengers were dispatched, to end with y^e
Virginia Company as well as they could. And to procure [20] a patent
with as good and ample conditions as they might by any good means
obtaine.