reward according to theire pˀticuler meritt and desert; and yf yo{r} lordshipp and yo{r} brethren shalbe pleased to put in any private adventure for yo{r} selves in pˀticuler, you shalbe sure to receive according to your pˀporc͠on of the adventure, equall pˀts w{th} us adventurers from the beginning, both of the comodities returned or land to be divided; and because you shall see (being aldermen of so famous a cittie) we beare you due respect, we are contented, having but one badge of grace and favor from his Ma{tie}, to participate w{th} you therein, and to make as many of you as will adventure 50{li.} or more, fellow councellors from the first day w{th} us who have spent double and treble as much as is required, abidden the hazard of three sevˀall discoveries, w{th} much care and diligence, and many days adventure, and as yo{r} deputies, and yo{r} assistants, in yo{r} private wards, so shall as many of them as will adventure but 25{li.} present money, be made pˀties of this companie and assistants of this councell; and thus as an action concerning God and the advancement of religion, the present ease, future hon{r} and safety of this kingdome, the strength of o{r} navie, the visible hope of a great and rich trade, w{th} many secrete blessings not yet discovered, we commend the cause to the wisdome and zeale of yo{r} selfe and yo{r} brethren and you, and it, and us, to the holie pˀtection of the Almightie. The City took up the scheme heartily, a large sum was subscribed and a great number of emigrants crossed the water. The Barber-Surgeons invested £25, but never received anything for it again. 23rd March, 1609. This daye it is ordered that the pˀnt M{rs} shall advent{r} xxv{li.} uppon a Bill of Exchange for the plantac͠on of Virginia, of the stock of this howse. 6th January, 1609. In obedience to a precept from the Lord Mayor, £10 was paid to the Chamberlain, towards the construction of a Garner for the use of the City. 25th May, 1610. A precept came from the Lord Mayor calling upon the Company “to be readie in yo{r} bardge well and richlie sett forthe before vii of the clocke in the morning” on the 31st January, to go to Chelsea to meet the eldest son of James I, on which occasion he was to go from Richmond to Whitehall to be created Prince of Wales; whereupon the following minute is recorded:-- AT this Court a precept beinge sent from my lord Maior unto this Company w{ch} beinge at this Court read, the effect whereof was that our Company on Thursdaie next shalbe reddie to attend my Lord Maior in their barge for the honor of this Citie in the enterteynement of the high & mightie prince at Chelsey. It was ordered that none of the Company shold be warned for this service but onely those w{ch} ware of the Assistaunce of the Clotheinge to goe in the Barge, the reason thereof is that a barge cold not be gotten large enough to carry the whole lyvery.