[13] _Ibid._, 85. [14] A. Brown, _The first republic_, 293. [15] _Bath papers_ I. [16] A. Brown, _The first republic_, 312. [17] L. G. Tyler, _Narratives of early Virginia_, 257. [18] _Journals of the House of Burgesses_, 1619-1659, 16. [19] A. Brown, _The first republic_, 531, 532. [20] _Ibid._, 524. [21] _Ibid._, 541. [22] _Ibid._, 542. [23] _Ibid._, 554. [24] William Stith, _History of Virginia_, 313, 315. [25] A. Brown, _The first republic_, 573. [26] CO1-3, p. 5. This and similar notations all refer to documents in the British Public Record Office. [27] W. W. Hening, _Statutes at large_ 1: 129, 130. [28] CO1-4. [29] CO1-20. CHAPTER II SELF-GOVERNMENT With the calling of the Assembly of 1627 Virginia entered a new epoch. The people no longer looked to a commercial company for instructions and the appointment of the Governor and other officials, but to the King. On the whole this was a fortunate change. The Company could not finance the enterprise, and it might have bled the colony to make good its own losses. The reactionary group in the Company might in time have won control, and have gone back to the original form of government. It was this which made the people of Virginia resist all attempts to re-establish the Company. They were greatly alarmed in 1631 when word reached them that some of the former members had "continually importuned his Majesty to renew the charter," and that the King had actually given orders that a new one be drawn up. Someone, no doubt an agent for the colony, protested vigorously. The Governor and Council had "oftentimes petitioned ... against the renewing of any such corporation," he said, and he pleaded that nothing be done until they were heard from. But though the Virginians wished to remain under the jurisdiction of the King, and not be "subjects to their fellow subjects," they wanted to place their government upon a firmer basis as a guarantee that there would be no renewal of the "illegal proceedings and barbarous tortures" of former years. On three separate occasions they tried to secure a charter guaranteeing their liberties. In 1639, George Sandys, whom they appointed agent to petition for a charter, seems to have misunderstood his instructions, for instead of doing so he attempted to revive the Company. When this news reached Virginia, the Assembly hastened to disavow his action, and to beg the King to let them remain a royal colony. Their yearly Assemblies, authorized in his instructions, insured their present happiness, they said. So they were much relieved when Charles told them that he had not the least intention of placing any corporation over them.