Page:The Life of George Washington, Volume 1.djvu/75

 INTRODUCTION. 45 conforming to their own views and wishes ; a chap, h. new charter was petitioned for, which on the 1609. 23d of May, was granted them. Some of the New charter first nobility and gentry of the country, and most of the companies of London, with a numerous body of merchants and tradesmen, were now added to the former adventurers; and they were all incorporated by the name of " the treasurer and company of adventurers, of the city of London for the first colony in Virginia." To them were now granted in absolute property the lands extending from cape or point Comfort, along the seacoast, two hundred miles to the northward, and from the same point, along the seacoast, two hundred miles to the southward, and up into the land throughout from sea to sea, west and north- west; and also, all the islands lying within one hundred miles of the coast of both seas of the precinct aforesaid ; to be holden as of the manor of East Greenwich, in free and common soc- cage, and paying in lieu of all services, one fifth of the gold and silver that should be found. The corporation was authorized to convey, under its common seal, particular portions of these lands to subjects or denizens, on such conditions as might promote the intentions of the grant. The powers of the president and council in Virginia were abrogated; and a new council in England was established and or- dained in the charter, with power to the com •