Page:The Life of George Washington, Volume 1.djvu/83

 INTRODUCTION. 53 considerable supply of men and provisions, chap. n. After receiving this addition to its numbers, 16U. the colony began to extend itself up James' river, and several new settlements were made. The extravagant accounts given of the beauty and fertility of Bermuda, by those who had been cast away on that island, having reached England, excited in the company a desire to obtain it as a place from which Vir- ginia might be supplied with provisions. Ap- plication was therefore made to the crown for a new patent which should comprehend this New charter, island; and, in March, a new charter was 1612. issued, granting to the treasurer and company all the islands situate in the ocean within three- hundred leagues of the coast of Virginia. By this charter former grants and immunities were confirmed, but the corporation was essentially new modelled. It was ordained that four ge- neral courts of the adventurers should be holden annually, for the determination of affairs of importance; and weekly meetings were ap- pointed, for the transaction of common busi- ness. To promote the effectual settlement of the plantation, which had already cost such considerable sums, license was given to open lotteries in any part of England. These lotteries, which were the first ever drawn in England, brought twenty-nine thou- sand pounds into the treasury of the company. Robertson. ,..Chal?ner...,Stith..,.Beverly.