Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/99

 government of the colony. Potts fell into trouble under charge of no very creditable character, viz., that of cattle-stealing; but nothing of moment grew out of it. Harvey built a new fort at Point Comfort, at the entrance of James River, and a fee, in powder and ball, was demanded of every ship that passed. Salt-works were also established on the eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay.

In 1632, a revisal of the laws took place, by which they were consolidated into a single statute, a process which it was found expedient to repeat on several subsequent occasions. The regulations in regard to religion and morals were numerous, and evince the care and concern of the authorities to promote godliness among the people, These regulations covered such points as the publishing bans of marriage, catechizing children, the number of times the ministers should preach, during the year, and administer the communion, the tithes for the support of religion, punishments for drunkenness, profane swearing, adultery, slander, etc. Attempts were made to limit the amount of tobacco produced, and thus increase its price in the English market. The price had fallen to six-pence per pound, and very serious competition had arisen from the English planters in the Island of Barbadoes, and' other settlers in the Leeward Isles. The colonists were required to cultivate a certain portion of the soil in corn, and to plant and rear vines. Military exercises were to be kept up; no parley was to be held with Indians; no emigration to New England was to take place without leave of the governor. This revised code was read at the beginning of every monthly court, and a manuscript copy was furnished, open to public inspection.

Two years subsequently, in 1634, the colony was divided into eight counties, the governor appointing the lieutenants for each county, and the people choosing the sheriff;—so that after many trials, and many obstacles in the way of its growth, Virginia at that date may be regarded as having taken deep and abiding root in the soil of the new empire fast rising into importance in the western hemisphere.

The new colony of Maryland was not looked on with much favor by the Virginians, and they generally felt that it was an encroachment on their just rights. Harvey had rendered himself very unpopular by the adoption of measures obnoxious to the feelings of a large party in Virginia; the consequence of which was, that he was suspended by the Council. An assembly was called to receive complaints against Harvey, and he took his departure for England, to answer there any charges which might be preferred against him. The charges were not even heard, and the deposed Harvey returned, in 1636, with a new commission, and with a spirit not improved in kindliness towards the colonists. He remained several years in office, and, according to some writers, exercised his powers with much severity, and even tyranny, until at length he was superseded by Sir Francis Wyatt, in 1639. It is but justice, however, to state that