fatal precedent which they continued to follow after they had retired, in other refpeds, within their proper fundlions. When this colony, therefore, which ftill maintained its oppofition to Cromwell and the parliament, was induced in 1 65 1 to lay down their arms, they previoufly fecured their moft eflential rights, by a folemn convention, which having never feen in print, I will here infert literally from the records.
^ ARTICLES agreed on and concluded at James Cittie in Firginia for the surrendering and ' settling of that plantation under the obedience and goiiernment of the common wealth of England by the Commissioners of the Councill of state by an- thoritie of the parliamt, of England and by the Grajid assembly of the Governour, Councill and Burgesses of that countrey, " First it is agreed and consted that the plantation of Virginia^ and all the inhabitants thereof shall be and remain in due obedience and subjection to the Comon wealth of England^ according to the laws there established^ and that this subt?iission and subscription bee acknowledged a voluntary act not forced nor constrained by a conquest upon the coun- trey. and that they shall have and enjoy such freedoms and priviledges as belong to the free borne people of Englandi and that the former government by the Commissions and Instructions be void and nulL ''9.ly. Secondly that the Grand assembly asformerly shall convene and transact the affairs of Firginia wherein nothing is to be acted ar done contrarie to the government of the Common wealth of England and the lawes there established, '' 3/y. That there shall be a full and totall re mission and indeinpnitie of all acts, words, or ivriteings done or spoken against the parliament of England in relation to the same.
""^ ^ly. Que Virginia tenga y disfrute de los antiguos límites y linderos concedidos por las cartas de los reyes anteriores ^ y que buscaremos una nueva carta del parlamento para tal fin contra cualquiera que haya usurpado los derechos de la misma *^ 5ly. Que todas las patentes de tierra concedidas bajo el sello de la colonia por cualquiera de los gobernadores precedentes sean y permanezcan en su total fuerza y vigor.