Page:Economic History of Virginia Vol 1.djvu/560

 been promised him. The Company also erected a dwelling-house for his use, and furnished him with the books and instruments he required in the performance of his duties. In the instructions given to Governor Wyatt in 1621, Claiborne accompanying this officer to Virginia in the course of that year, Wyatt was ordered to employ him in drawing a map of the country and in laying off the dividends of the planters, these tasks being undertaken by him in addition to determining the boundaries of the lands assigned to the officers, a duty requiring no great length of time for its completion.

The office of Surveyor-General was created after the abolition of the Company. The appointment of an incumbent was made by warrant drawn by the Solicitor-General of England and having the great seal attached to it. The Governor of Virginia was expressly prohibited from appointing this officer. His duties consisted in keeping a record of the surveys and in commissioning the whole body of surveyors. The latter were instructed to report to him every year at Jamestown, where their books, showing their work during the previous twelve months, were carefully examined by him to discover