making ready for us, though it were but an assurance that we shall eat the bread for which our owne Oxen plow, and with owne sweat we reape, but this assurance (it seems) were a franchise beyond the condition they have resolv'd on the Question we ought to be in: For the reason why they talk so Magisterially to us, is this, we are forsooth their worships slaves, bought with their money, and by consequence ought not to buy or sell, but with those they shall authorize, with a few trifles, to cozen us of all for which we toile and labour. "If the whole Current of their reasoning were not as ridiculous, as their actions have been Tyrannical and bloudy; we might wonder with what browes they could sustaine such impertinent assertions: For if you look into it, the strength of their argument runs onely thus: we have laid violent hands on your Land-Lord, possess'd his Manner house where you used to pay your rents, therefor now tender your respects to the same house you once reverenced : I call my Conscience to witness, I lie not, I cannot in all their Declaration perceave a stronger argument for what they would impose on us, than this which I have now told you they talke indeed of money laid out on this country in its infancy: I will not say how little, nor how Centuply repaid, but will onely aske, was it theirs? They who in the beginning of this warr were so porre & indigent that the wealth and rapines of three kingdomes & their Churches too, cannot yet make rich, but are faine to seeke out new Territories and impositions to sustaine their Luxury amongst themselves. "Surely Gentlemen we are more slaves by nature, then their power can make us, if we suffer ourselves to be shaken with these paper bulletts & those on my life are the heaviest they Either can or will send us. 'Tis true, with us, they haue long threatened the Barbados, yet not a ship goes thither but to beg trade, nor will they do to us, if we dare Honourably resist their Imperious Ordinance. Assuredly, Gentlemen, you have heard under what heavy burthens the afflicted English Nation now groanes, and calls to heaven for reliefe: how new and formerly unheard of impositions make the wives pray for barrennes, and their husbands deafnes to exclude the cryes of their succourles staruing children: And I am confident you do believe that none would long endure this slavery, if the Sword at their throats Did not compell them to Languish under the misery they hourely suffer. Looke on their sufferings with the eyes of understanding and that will prevent all your teares, but those of Compassion. Consider with what prisons and Axes they have paid those that have served them to the hazard of their Soules: Consider yourselves how happy you are, and have been, how the Gates of Wealth and Honour are shut on no man, and that there is not here an Arbitrary hand, that dares to touch the substance of either poore or rich. But, that which I would haue you chiefly to consider with thankfulness is: That God hath separated you from the guilt of the crying bloud of our Pious Soveraigne of ever blessed memory: But mistake not Gentlemen part of it will yet staine your garments if you willingly submit to those murtherers hands that shed it. 'I tremble to thinke how the oathes they will impose will make those guilty of it, that haue long abhor'd the traiterousnesse of the act: But I confesse having had so frequent testimonies of your courages, I cannot haue a reasonable Suspition of any cowardly falling of from the former resolutions, and haue onely mentioned this last, as a part of my duty and care of you, not of any reall doubts and feares; or if with untryed men we were to argue on this subject, what is it can be hoped for in a change, which we have not already? Is it liberty? The sun looks not on a people more free than we are from all oppression. Is it wealth? Hundreds of examples shew us that Industry & Thrift in a short time may bring us to as high of it as the country and and our Conditions are yet capable of. Is it security to enjoy this wealth when gotten? With out blushing I will speake it, I am confident theare lives not that person can accuse me of attempting the least act against any man's property. Is it peace? The Indians, God be blessed, round about us are subdued: we can only feare the Londoners, who would faine bring us to the same poverty, wherein the Dutch found and relieved us, would take away the liberty of our consciences, and tongues, and our right of giving and selling our goods to whom we please. "But, Gentlemen, by the Grace of God, we will not so tamely part with our King, and all these blessings we enjoy under him, and if they oppose us, do but follow me, I will either lead you to victory, or loose a life which I cannot more gloriously sacrifice than for my loyalty and your security." The speech was published with this title : THE SPEECH of the HONOURABLE WILLIAM BERKELEY Governour and Capt: Generall of Virginia to the Burgesses in the Grand Assembly at James Towne on the 17 of March 165 TOGETHER WITH A DECLARATION Of the whole Country, occasioned upon the HAGH Printed by Samuel Brown, English CHAPTER VII. UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND, A.D., 1652, TO A.D., 1660. PARLIAMENT COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED. SURRENDER OF NORTH- HE Council of State, of the Commonwealth of tions of Chesapeake Bay, to due obedience. 1 As early as December 28, 1649, the Committee of Admiralty summoned to appear before them, Maurice Thompson, Benjamin Worsley, William Penoyer |