Page:Economic History of Virginia Vol 1.djvu/532

 of all these societies, however, shows that this condition was not fulfilled in the measure required. The expectation of the Company was that the adventurers in these private associations would transport themselves, families, servants, and tenants to Virginia, and would employ their means in developing their properties. In many cases, this was done, but the result was disappointing. This was inevitable. It is significant that these great subpatents were, with two exceptions, not granted until as late as 1618, when, in consequence of misgovernment, the Colony had been very much reduced in strength and the treasury almost entirely depleted. In this depressed condition of affairs, a number of gentlemen of fortune, who were anxious for the prosperity of Virginia, came forward and offered to establish societies and by their means erect particular plantations. In 1620 alone, five patents were granted to associations of this character. If the majority of the members of the parent body could have followed their own wishes, it is highly probable that they would never have consented to these grants, not only because it led to the abandonment of a large part of the work of their own corporation to private associations, but also because it transferred their privileges and immunities over the territory conveyed. The Company was careful