Page:Economic History of Virginia Vol 1.djvu/535

 Delaware received on his appointment to the Governorship of Virginia in 1610, there was conferred on him the power to recompense, by bills of adventure for land, all persons who appeared to him to be entitled to some special recognition. In 1619, Captain Newport received from the Company a bill of adventure which was equal in value to thirty-six shares, and after his death thirty-five shares additional were presented to his widow. In return for the services and sacrifices of Sir Thomas Dale in advancing the welfare of the Colony, he was allowed the proportion of seven hundred pounds sterling in the distribution of lands. This generosity was not restricted to officers occupying the most conspicuous positions; in 1622, two shares were granted to the captain of the Royal James in acknowledgment of the important assistance which he and his crew had given towards the promotion of the interests of Virginia. During the existence of the Company, in order to prevent the abuse of this privilege, it was provided that all shares for merit alone should have such limitations as would restrict their sale or transfer, notwithstanding that a full consideration was offered, unless the committee appointed to supervise the substitution of holders should give their consent after a careful examination of all the circumstances. The right of conferring an interest in the soil of the Colony, as a reward for special services performed by individuals, remained in force after the Company had been driven