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THE PARLIAMENTS OF JAMES I. AND THE PLANTATION OF AMERICA. By Alexander Brown, D.C.L. THE first parliament of James I. existed for nearly seven years (March 19, 1604, to February 9, ). There were five sessions: 1604, 1605-6, 1606-7, and two in 1 610 — amounting in all to about six teen months. The second session began Nov. 5, 1605, — the day of the celebrated gunpowder plot treason. On Nov. 9 Parliament was adjourned to Jan. 21, 1606. On their re assembling a bill was at once passed making Nov. 5 ("Gunpowder plot day") "a day of thanksgiving forever." The session was largely devoted to measures and Acts in the interest of England at that time, in favor of the reformed religion and against the church of Rome. It was during this period of excitement, and under the same influences, that the national movement for securing a lot or portion in the New World for the English race and religion — the beginning of this nation — was taking definite shape in England. And although it was not deemed best for the colonial charters, etc., to be publicly, officially, confirmed by Parliament at this time, many of the ideas of the parlia mentary Acts were embodied in the said charters, etc., for the plantations, and the movement was personally endorsed by many members of that body. "The Reasons to move the High Court of Parliament to raise a stocke for the maintaininge of a Collonie in Virginia." — The project of Thomas and Edward Hayes, sub mitted to the Earl of Salisbury in 1606, "for planting of Christianity amongst heathens. ... So remote from the course of your great affairs as America is from England," in which they proposed a motion for laying the matter before Parliament. — The petition of Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Rev.

Richard Hakluyt and others (of the eight names given, six had been sea captains, and one was then a member of Parliament), for license to plant colonies in "that part of America commonly called Virginia," — and the charter of April 10, 1606, — were all written prior to the adjournment (May 27, 1606) of the second session of Parliament. The charter, an important instrument, was drafted by celebrated lawyers. The first draft annexed to the petition was by the Lord Chief Justice of England, Sir John Popham. The warrant for the charter was issued by the Secretary of State (Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury); the charter was prepared by the Attorney-General, Sir Ed ward Coke, and the Solicitor-General, Sir John Dodderidge, and it was passed under the seal by Lord Chancellor Egerton. It claimed for the Crown of England the whole of North America between 34° and 45° north latitude, and it authorized the plan tation of several English colonies therein, "which may, by the providence of Almighty God, hereafter tend to the glory of his di vine Majesty in propagating of Christian religion," etc. The patron of the Northern Colony was the Lord Chief Justice of Eng land, and the Secretary of State was the patron of the Southern Colony. His Majesty's Instructions for the Govern ment of the Colonies, Nov. 20, 1606. — The Orders and Advice of the Council for Virginia of Dec. 10, 1606, and the Ordi nance and Constitution of March 9, 1607, were issued during the third session (18th Nov., i6o6-4th July, 1607); and a majority of His Majesty's Council for Virginia named in the first and last of these instruments were members of the House of Commons. Virginia was already an important factor