Page:The Life of George Washington, Volume 1.djvu/55

 INTRODUCTION. 25 or people ; and also the islands adjacent thereto, chap. i. or within one hundred miles thereof. They 1606. were divided, at their own desire, into two several companies; one, consisting of certain knights, gentlemen, merchants, and other ad- venturers of the city of London, and elsewhere, was called the first colony, and was required to settle between the 34th and 41st degrees of north latitude ; the other, consisting of certain knights, gentlemen, merchants, and other ad- venturers of Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth and elsewhere, was named the second colony, and was ordered to settle between the 38th and 45th degrees of north latitude ; yet so that the colony last formed, should not be planted within one hundred miles of the prior establishment. The adventurers were empowered to trans- port thither, so many English subjects as should be willing to accompany them ; with provisions and arms, and without paying customs for seven years. The colonists and their children were, at all times, to enjoy the same liberties, within any other dominions of the crown of England, as if they had remained, or were born within the realm. For their better government, there was established for each of the projected settle- ments, a council consisting of thirteen; to be appointed and- removed by the royal instruc- tions ; who were empowered to govern the colonies according to such laws as should be VOL. I. E